Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 27 March 2022
The King and His mob
Scripture References: Matthew 21:23-46, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 118:1-29
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CloseAs Jesus returns to the Temple complex on his second day in his capital, the religious leaders challenge his authority. They question his right, and the origin of his ‘kingship’. His response silences them. He responds as any king would, and should, when his legitimate rule is questioned. In the two parables that follow, he exposes the rejection of God’s king by God’s people. And he exposes the breadth and depth and length of the kingdom of God – it is for all. Membership in the kingdom is by being connected to the king – and obedience to him. This aspect of obedience is often missed here but it is crucial: the king’s authority is legitimate. The consequence is clear: obey him, or be outside the kingdom.
Scripture References: Matthew 21:23-46, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalms 118:1-29
Related Topics: Easter, Kingdom, Matthew | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus deals with the question of ‘Who belongs in the kingdom?’ Is it children? Is it the good? Is it the godly? And, how and what does this look like? This question of ‘belonging’ is one that is constant in our lives – where do I belong, do I belong, what does belonging look like? And Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of heaven is made up of the dependent, the reliant, the weak – just like children.
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
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