Tuesday - April 12
JESUS TEACHES AT THE TEMPLE
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 21:33-46; 22:15-22; Luke 20:9-26; Ezekiel 36:26
(Read Matthew 21:18-23 for a bigger picture of Jesus’ teaching)
OBSERVATION
Today we see Jesus in the temple telling many stories that offer divine insight into God’s Kingdom and plan to bring redemption. Perfectly knowing his audience—the religious leaders of the day—Jesus chooses to speak in parables alluding to the corruption found in their leadership. The tension increases when we think back to the sermon on the mount and Jesus’ choice to teach in parables here as well. Scripture says that Jesus spoke in parables knowing the crowd would not understand (Matt 13:13), which piques our interest in the chief priests and Pharisees’ recorded understanding in the temple. Did the rest of the crowd understand Jesus was calling them out for their crooked ways?
Imagine, the leaders, already set on finding any excuse to arrest Him and sentence Him to death, standing on the outer skirts of the crowd. Posed in judgement and a stuffy arrogance that immediately drops to the pit of their stomach as they realize Jesus is declaring they will not inherit the kingdom of God. No wonder they sent their followers to test Him regarding paying taxes to Caesar. Has there ever been a moment you heard the voice of the Lord speak conviction in your life? And instead of meeting Him with humility, you met Him with defensive pride, like the Pharisees?
PRAY
Allow space to practice true humility before the Lord. Invite Him in to transform your heart and melt what is hardened toward Him.
