Look a Little deeper

As Christians, it is crucial we remember that Jesus said,  “…wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it,” In Matthew 7:13-14.   We need to understand a large percentage of the people we witness to will not get saved.  Even though he was God in the flesh, had twelve full time disciples to help him, did hundreds of miracles throughout Israel, and had spoken to many thousands of people in various cities, there were only about a hundred twenty believers gathered in the upper room.   Many are not willing to commit to following a less popular or more difficult lifestyle.  The Jews had had the Law, and prophets for about seventeen hundred years, and were well versed in it, yet only that very small group believed Jesus was the Messiah.  Those who were most versed in the scriptures were often the least willing to consider His message, because they were convinced they already knew everything.     

Jesus met such a group in Matthew 21:23.  “And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?”  What Jesus was teaching was different than what they were used to hearing, and they demanded to know what gave him the right to teach something different.  In modern terms, they were asking him what kind of degree he had, and where he got it.  If he held a prestigious degree, (for example, a doctorate from Harvard), they might consider what he said, but if not they would assume he didn’t know what he was talking about.  The same attitude has become popular in our day. 

Jesus took the focus of his educational qualifications, forcing them to question their own attitude, in Matthew 21:24-27.  “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.  The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?  But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell…”  

Many of the Jews had generally John as being from God, even though he was not highly educated or a member of the elite priests.  If the chief priests said he was not from God, they would offend many of the people, possibly causing them to turn to Jesus because John had proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah.  If they said he was from God, he would ask them why they didn’t believe what he said.  They refused to answer,, saying they couldn’t tell.  They deliberately chose to overlook the evidence to keep from having to change their position.   Frequently people commit themselves to a position, and refuse to consider anything that does not support their position.   

It is a waste of time trying to change such people’s minds, and Jesus knew that.   Instead of answering their question about his authority, he used a parable to make them stop and think about what they were doing, in Matthew 21:27-31.    “…And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

They say unto him, The first.

Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

As we mentioned, the Jews had known what God demanded for seventeen hundred years.  The Publicans and sinners, the ordinary people had ignored the command, but when Jesus came, they listened to what he said and followed God’s command.  The Pharisees and religious leaders had made a big show of obeying God but refused to believe when Christ came.  Jesus Asked which one they thought would be more satisfactory, the ones who initially rebelled but later obeyed, or the ones who made a show of obedience but didn’t follow through.  They agreed that the ones who finally obeyed would be the ones who were most satisfactory, and Jesus made the point that the ones they looked down on for not making the show would be the Ones God would be pleased with. 

Like the Pharisees and priests, many today are more concerned with making a show of serving god than actually obeying him.  I Samuel 15:22 tells us, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”  God is concerned about our obedience, rather than the show we put on.  As Christians we need to not be deceived by glitzy shows, but to look at the reality, both in our own lives and in those who oppose us.