Sermon Title: Who is this Jesus?
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (Matthew 21:23-27)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Our Lord’s final week of His Life before the Crucifixion is marked with His return to Jerusalem where He was greeted and welcomed with adulations reserved for Israel’s Messiah.
In the eyes of Israel, He had come to deliver them from their Roman oppressors.
Riding in on a donkey accompanied by her foal, Jesus – who was of royal lineage and was well-received by Israel – was believed to have fulfilled every criteria of kingship over Israel – victorious, gentle and rightful. (Matthew 21:1-7)
A “very large crowd” gathered and passionately welcomed Him shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:8-9)
Israel really believed that their day of deliverance had come.
Jesus would once again usher in a golden age of Israel and God’s Promise to Abraham -that as a people, they would be “a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed” through them (Ref: Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 18:18) – would finally be fulfilled.
They had great ideas about who Jesus was and what He was going to do for them.
However, He was not the kind of king they wanted Him to be.
For “when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11)
Israel made a grave mistake about Jesus.
He was certainly no prophet; nor was He about to deliver Israel from under foreign rule.
This was a crowd that would shout “hosanna” – which means, “Lord, save us” – today; but in five days, they would shout, “crucify Him”!
Jesus was indeed, the victorious, gentle and true King; but He was not the kind of king Israel desired, He is the King that the world needs.
When He entered Jerusalem, Jesus did not head to take over the Governor’s Mansion; He headed straight to the Temple of God – where He immediately took authority, banished all commerce and ministered to those who really needed Him. (Ref: Matthew 21:12-14)
Unlike every pilgrim there before and after Him, He was not there to worship; for God would not worship Himself.
He was there as God.
Deep in their hearts, the chief priest and teachers of the law recognized His divine authority; and this was evidenced by their indignation over “the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,”” (Matthew 21:15)
To His disciples, Christ revealed His Power to take life; and taught them to move the mountains that hindered them from entering the Presence of God. (Ref: Matthew 21:18-22)
Though figs were not in season at that time, Christ’s declaration that the fig tree “never bear fruit again” (Matthew 21:20), causing the tree to die before the eyes of the disciples spoke to the spiritual reality of John 15:7-8 in that, Christ and His Word remaining in us - alone - is the condition for us to “bear much fruit.”
We do not bear fruit as part of the natural order, or of seasons; but rather, the condition by which we will “bear much fruit” is established solely upon the condition that we remain in Christ, and His Word. (John 15:7-8)
In every regards, through His actions and the prophecies from the Old Testament that were perfectly fulfilled in Christ’s life, His divine authority and identity has been made clear to the religious elite of Israel and to His disciples.
It was neither a question of cognition nor revelation; but rather a question of willingness to embrace the Saviour out of the acknowledgement of our immense sinfulness and recognition that only Christ can save us from the bondages and wages of sin.
For Israel’s religious leaders whose life were relatively comfortable, it was an inconvenient time for the Messiah to show up.
Therein lies the particular wickedness of their questions:
“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”
For these question revealed that they knew full well who Jesus was, but refused to acknowledge that He is, indeed, the Messiah, sent by God; who is God.
They chose to reject Christ.
They have absolutely no excuse.
Today, like the religious leaders of Israel, we have no excuse to ignore the true authority and identity of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s authority over all Creation, including the Temple, is His and His alone; and is established in His Identity as God and Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Do you know who this Jesus really is?
Is He truly your Saviour?
Or are you still harboring hopes that He is only in your life to alleviate your current, worldly circumstances?
Be warned.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God is concerned about our life in eternity; and not in prosperity.
Christ Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (I John 1:9)
“He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”” (1 Peter 2:24)
Though God has promised to care for your earthly needs, believe it or not, that is not important to Him.
The moment you acknowledge your sinfulness, and truly receive God’s forgiveness through Christ, the peace that you now experience with God would transcend every earthly need and worldly desire.
Apart from finding favor in the Lord’s sight and living for His Glory sake, nothing else would matter, nor worry you.
Such is the divine Peace that God gives, which transcends all understanding and lasts for all eternity (Ref: Philippians 4:6) – if we remain in right relationship with Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, and in the knowledge that “by His wounds you have been healed” of your sin.
For if you are truly in Christ, God is at peace with you - all is always well.
Christ’s only purpose is to save you from the bondages and wages of your sin; so that you may receive the gift of eternal life from God.
He is your Saviour, and He is your God.
Are you stirred as to the real identity of Jesus Christ?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, in utter need of Your Salvation.
Forgive my transgressions, Lord.
Thank You for being the atoning sacrifice for my sins. (1 John 1:9); and for bearing my sins in Your Body on the Cross so that I may die to sins and “live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24)
Thank You for revealing Your divine authority and love to me.
Transform my life; that in all that I am, I would forever be grateful to You, for saving me from the bondages and wages of sin; and live my life wholly for the sake of Your Gospel and Glory.
You are my Saviour, Lord Jesus!
You are my King; my Master, and my God!
Thank You for being the King that I need.
I surrender my life utterly to You; and to Your Kingdom’s purposes.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (Matthew 21:23-27)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Our Lord’s final week of His Life before the Crucifixion is marked with His return to Jerusalem where He was greeted and welcomed with adulations reserved for Israel’s Messiah.
In the eyes of Israel, He had come to deliver them from their Roman oppressors.
Riding in on a donkey accompanied by her foal, Jesus – who was of royal lineage and was well-received by Israel – was believed to have fulfilled every criteria of kingship over Israel – victorious, gentle and rightful. (Matthew 21:1-7)
A “very large crowd” gathered and passionately welcomed Him shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:8-9)
Israel really believed that their day of deliverance had come.
Jesus would once again usher in a golden age of Israel and God’s Promise to Abraham -that as a people, they would be “a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed” through them (Ref: Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 18:18) – would finally be fulfilled.
They had great ideas about who Jesus was and what He was going to do for them.
However, He was not the kind of king they wanted Him to be.
For “when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11)
Israel made a grave mistake about Jesus.
He was certainly no prophet; nor was He about to deliver Israel from under foreign rule.
This was a crowd that would shout “hosanna” – which means, “Lord, save us” – today; but in five days, they would shout, “crucify Him”!
Jesus was indeed, the victorious, gentle and true King; but He was not the kind of king Israel desired, He is the King that the world needs.
When He entered Jerusalem, Jesus did not head to take over the Governor’s Mansion; He headed straight to the Temple of God – where He immediately took authority, banished all commerce and ministered to those who really needed Him. (Ref: Matthew 21:12-14)
Unlike every pilgrim there before and after Him, He was not there to worship; for God would not worship Himself.
He was there as God.
Deep in their hearts, the chief priest and teachers of the law recognized His divine authority; and this was evidenced by their indignation over “the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,”” (Matthew 21:15)
To His disciples, Christ revealed His Power to take life; and taught them to move the mountains that hindered them from entering the Presence of God. (Ref: Matthew 21:18-22)
Though figs were not in season at that time, Christ’s declaration that the fig tree “never bear fruit again” (Matthew 21:20), causing the tree to die before the eyes of the disciples spoke to the spiritual reality of John 15:7-8 in that, Christ and His Word remaining in us - alone - is the condition for us to “bear much fruit.”
We do not bear fruit as part of the natural order, or of seasons; but rather, the condition by which we will “bear much fruit” is established solely upon the condition that we remain in Christ, and His Word. (John 15:7-8)
In every regards, through His actions and the prophecies from the Old Testament that were perfectly fulfilled in Christ’s life, His divine authority and identity has been made clear to the religious elite of Israel and to His disciples.
It was neither a question of cognition nor revelation; but rather a question of willingness to embrace the Saviour out of the acknowledgement of our immense sinfulness and recognition that only Christ can save us from the bondages and wages of sin.
For Israel’s religious leaders whose life were relatively comfortable, it was an inconvenient time for the Messiah to show up.
Therein lies the particular wickedness of their questions:
“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”
For these question revealed that they knew full well who Jesus was, but refused to acknowledge that He is, indeed, the Messiah, sent by God; who is God.
They chose to reject Christ.
They have absolutely no excuse.
Today, like the religious leaders of Israel, we have no excuse to ignore the true authority and identity of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s authority over all Creation, including the Temple, is His and His alone; and is established in His Identity as God and Creator of the heavens and the earth.
Do you know who this Jesus really is?
Is He truly your Saviour?
Or are you still harboring hopes that He is only in your life to alleviate your current, worldly circumstances?
Be warned.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God is concerned about our life in eternity; and not in prosperity.
Christ Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (I John 1:9)
“He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”” (1 Peter 2:24)
Though God has promised to care for your earthly needs, believe it or not, that is not important to Him.
The moment you acknowledge your sinfulness, and truly receive God’s forgiveness through Christ, the peace that you now experience with God would transcend every earthly need and worldly desire.
Apart from finding favor in the Lord’s sight and living for His Glory sake, nothing else would matter, nor worry you.
Such is the divine Peace that God gives, which transcends all understanding and lasts for all eternity (Ref: Philippians 4:6) – if we remain in right relationship with Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, and in the knowledge that “by His wounds you have been healed” of your sin.
For if you are truly in Christ, God is at peace with you - all is always well.
Christ’s only purpose is to save you from the bondages and wages of your sin; so that you may receive the gift of eternal life from God.
He is your Saviour, and He is your God.
Are you stirred as to the real identity of Jesus Christ?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, in utter need of Your Salvation.
Forgive my transgressions, Lord.
Thank You for being the atoning sacrifice for my sins. (1 John 1:9); and for bearing my sins in Your Body on the Cross so that I may die to sins and “live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24)
Thank You for revealing Your divine authority and love to me.
Transform my life; that in all that I am, I would forever be grateful to You, for saving me from the bondages and wages of sin; and live my life wholly for the sake of Your Gospel and Glory.
You are my Saviour, Lord Jesus!
You are my King; my Master, and my God!
Thank You for being the King that I need.
I surrender my life utterly to You; and to Your Kingdom’s purposes.
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.