Matthew 22: 15 - 46

Controversary for truth, as followers of Jesus, seems especially difficult today.

Which is one reason these four exchanges get my attention: 

·      Should we Pay Taxes to Caesar?

·      What about Resurrection and Marriage?

·      Which is Greatest Commandment?

·      Whose Son is the Christ?

To be clear. As we read Matthew’s Gospel, we see more and more how, those who are supposedly in the family, in fact leaders of the family, don’t recognize the Son.

Not only do they not recognize him, but they are also hostile to him.

To say it differently, this is internal church stuff.

The events we read of today highlight more of the controversies surrounding Jesus, and how skillfully Jesus deals with all of them.

Rather than dig into these specific situations, my mind is drawn to the issue of truth. Do I contend for it? If I do, how do I go about it?

Now, I am not sure how hard it was in the past. Today it is hard. It seems like even open debate is being squashed. It is not just intolerance and abhorrence of anything absolute. There are other difficulties. Today, when we do speak out, offer opinions and thoughts, there are challenges. 

·      Challenges to speak in a measured, clear, and even winsome manner.

·      Challenges that even when we do speak in such a manner, we don’t get pigeon-holed as haters and bigots, not because we fear being labeled. No, it is because those labels can nullify our voice to the world.

·      Challenges that as the world around us changes, the freedoms we once enjoyed, the freedom to speak, may be curtailed requiring us to find new ways to reach those who hear yet to hear the Good News.

Yet returning to Jesus, we get a glimpse of how he deals with his environment. He is not seeking them out – they are seeking him out. In fact, his priority is teaching and serving the crowds – not those in power. 

·      Look at 21:23, he was in the Temple teaching, and they came to him.

·      Look at 23:1, he again addresses the crowds

Jesus is speaking truth to the audience that he is sent to reach. When those in power engage him, he responds—but he does not go seek them out.

Perhaps this is the first clue for us. 

·      Are we railing against those in power, or,

·      Are we proclaiming the Good News of Jesus alongside the false narratives of the day—believing that the power of God’s Truth will prevail?

To be clear, Jesus does not back away from a challenge. He proclaims the truth. 

·      And they will kill him for it.

As we seek to speak to our own world, perhaps we might consider:

·      Where is most of my energy spent, calling out the heretics and arguing with my critics, or

·      With the lost, proclaiming the Good News, and allowing the Holy Spirit to draw them to Jesus?

·      Further, what is my goal when the powers of the day are engaged? Is it to prove a point to them? Perhaps it is to challenge and push back on false teaching. Perhaps it is to bring to light the heresy and in doing so to bring to bear others who will in turn expose how those in leadership are leading others astray. 

·      My only observation is that there are lots of Christians who like watching other Christians “land punches” on their common foes. We might see a distinction between “us and them”. To the non-believer, we are “all Christians” fighting among ourselves—and they often walk away. 

·      Which, by my way of thinking, should challenge where I put my energy.

·      Finally, what is my expectation and endpoint? Is it vindication or crucifixion? They killed the prophets. They killed Jesus. They will probably kill me and you in one way or another.

So, if you and I are going to lose our lives over what we are saying, I pray it will draw more people to the Throne of Grace.

How do you go about “contending for the truth”?