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
I guess it is probably hard to forget an event like the Exodus, and the moments of the Passover – at least in the short term. But, God knows his mob. He knows that they forget quickly. He knows that they will be rebellious, and wander in the wilderness for forty years. He knows that he needs to command them to remember, especially when it is only Joshua and Caleb who will enter the land of Israel from the slavery of Egypt. And so, as they leave, God commands ‘statutes’, laws to enforce remembering – remembering the night of the Passover, remembering the strength of God who saved them, remembering their identity as ‘my firstborn’. The God who commands this remembering is the God who knows them, and so he orders their route as they leave. He is the God who follows through faithfully and relentlessly on his promises – just look at the bones of Joseph. And he is the God who is their constant companion, even as they wander in rebellion. He is our God!
The Passover is one of the seminal moments in God’s commitment to reverse the curse of sin in this world. It is the climax of His work to save His people from Egypt – for people to know Him, for His ‘firstborn son’ to be saved, for them to dwell with Him and be His people. In this sense, the last of the signs and wonders is both a salvation and a preparation. As the LORD sweeps over Egypt, delivering His judgement of death on those who have refused Him, in each of the households of His people, a perfect lamb has died. This lamb’s death is a substitute for God’s firstborn son, taking the judgement of death. This lamb’s blood protects God’s people, preparing them to be acceptable to live with God. As God’s mob obediently do as He commanded, they are trusting in His provision – they are trusting in His kind mercy. And so, they are both saved out of Egypt, and they are made acceptable to dwell with the God who has visited this world. Can you think of any other event that is similar to this?
Last week we considered why God saves His people. But God’s salvation and judgement often go hand in hand. Indeed God’ s judgement of His enemies is often the means by which He saves His people. In Exodus 7:8-10:29, we are given three reasons why God judges the Egyptians; To reveal Himself to the world, to display His power and authority and humble both His enemies and His people. The implication for God’s enemies is that they should repent and turn to Him for salvation while His people should learn to serve Him in humility because they recognise that except by His miraculous power, no one can be saved from his judgement.
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