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
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
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.
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