0926a2020 – Matthew 21. 23-32
EZEKIEL was so good.
He was so right on.
Very typical of your Hebraic prophet.
“Turn around”…he would have yelled.
“REPENT”…he would have screamed…
“Change your ways…NOW!”
“You have choices to make.”
“Lots of choices.”
“MAKE only good choices.”
“You already KNOW what to do.”
“Think BEFORE you act.
“Be careful…”
“IS it right?”
“Is it JUST?”
“Is it reasonable?”
“Is it GOD APPROVED?”
“Life is precious. Your life is precious. And God wants you to live and NOT die.”
“Be SMART.”
“God gave you the “gift” of reasoning.”
“You have a head on your shoulders.” “Use it!”
Just so you know…IT is oftentimes difficult to date these ancient prophets with any kind of actual certainty or accuracy.
We do know, the name Ezekiel, means “GOD STRENGTHENS…”
We know he was the son of a priest. We know too, that Hebrew scholarship says he was a descendent of JOSHUA.
We know that he lived out his life in captivity in Babylonia, or Edom, another name for Modern day Iraq. We know about his prophecies regarding the destruction of Jerusalem.
He prophesied during the “hay-day” of the Hebrew Prophets.
He loved his God. He loved his people – ISRAEL. And he was concerned for their safety and their well-being…and he was more than willing to put his life on the line, for his beliefs…and for his GOD.
I can imagine, that John the Baptizer would have seen him as being “a real role model,” someone possibly to emulate.
Prophets had to be “quieted.” They had to be “silenced.”
They were troublesome. Problematic. They were obnoxious. The “powers that BE” seldom, if ever, approved of THEM or their METHODS. They posed too much of a threat. They threatened the status quo. And the status quo DOES and WILL strike back.
John was beheaded. He was silenced.
And this Jesus…this rabbi…this teacher from Galilee was following in his footsteps. He was NO DIFFERENT. Many heralded him a prophetic voice.
Just another rabble-rouser posing yet another threat. And threats are to be handled swiftly. They are to be extinguished.
The Jerusalem elite valued their position, their power, their prestige, their wealth. They valued the priesthood. The Chief Priests and the Scribes, the elders of the people, they all valued and COVETED their individual positions. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were no different. Life was good, as long as you were in charge of…as long as you were in control. So what, if you conspired with the “Roman tormentors” and were “a collaborator?” So, WHAT?
So, conflicts with Jesus were frequent, as numerous groups, tried to silence and discredit him, before ALL of the people. It was imperative that it be done.
THEY did not like him.
The crowds LOVED him.
The people FLOCKED to him.
But he had TO GO.
His demise had to be imminent.
It was all a matter of timing. Place and time.
So, whenever possible, they would “publicly challenge him.” Attempt to “shame him.” Attempt to “outsmart-out-think him.” To “eat-away” at his popularity and his following.
If he was shamed ENOUGH or challenged ENOUGH, he might disappear… hopefully into obscurity, back in the hill country of Galilee. It was THERE, he belonged.
Jesus “accepted” their challenge. He was neither FEARFUL or AFRAID. He would stand toe-to-toe with them.
How dare they question HIS AUTHORITY, when it was THEIR AUTHORITY that needed to be questioned.
SO, what we have BEFORE US is “one such engagement.”
Jesus versus the chief priests and the elders of the people. Jesus wins. They lose. His honor grows in the eyes of ALL the people.
But the “ruling elite” will see to it, that the opportunities continue to present themselves…they WILL HAVE THEIR DAY. They will lay in wait. They will watch. Jesus is a nuisance.
THIS JESUS HAS GOT TO GO…
So, why does it have to be this way?
Why do we continue to HATE…?
Why do we continue to JUDGE?
Why do we always LOOK OUT for our own self-interest?
Why do we PRE-JUDGE “others?”
Why do we think “others” are EXPENDABLE, but WE are NOT?
Why would we seek out the DEMISE of someone else?
Why are we so PROTECTIVE of ourselves and NOT others?
Why do people CHOOSE violence?
Why do we only CARE ABOUT people who are VERY MUCH like ourselves?
When will LOVE prevail for US?
And the prophets of old ask us…
When will you REPENT?
When will you TURN YOUR LIVES AROUND?
When will you TURN TO THE LORD, your God?
When will you SEEK him out?
When will you TREAT OTHERS, the way, you yourselves want to be treated?
When will you leave INIQUITY, WICKEDNESS, and TRANSGRESSIONS behind you?
When will you WALK with a NEW HEART and a NEW SPIRIT?
When will you start WALKING WITH GOD?
WHEN seems to be the “ULTIMATE UNANSWERED QUESTION.” WHEN? Amen.