[Matthew 22, Proverbs 22]

H – Matthew 22:42, “……“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” ……”

E – The Real Question!

Jesus caused a stir. He was different. He was a teacher that taught with authority. He also healed the lame, caused the blind to see, cast out demons, raised the dead, and forgave the sinner. However, the religious leaders couldn’t take their legalistic blinders off to see that this Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, The Christ. So, they looked for every way they could test, entangle, and entrap Him by His own words. 

The Pharisee’s were members of a party that believed in resurrection and in following legal traditions that were ascribed not to the Bible but to “the traditions of the fathers.” This Jesus broke the mold by not looking, acting, or talking like them. People didn’t marvel at the Pharisees, but they marveled at Jesus and the Pharisees couldn’t stand it. So, they looked for opportunity after opportunity to “entangle him” (v.15) by asking questions in an attempt that Jesus would twist His words. 

The Sadducees were a religious faction that wielded societal power in nearly every aspect. These men hated Jesus and were the Jewish aristocrats of their day, known as much for their wealth and corruption as for their religious devotion. They also adamantly opposed the resurrection to come. Did I mention, they hated Jesus. Jesus went against everything they taught, everything they stood for. They too asked questions in an attempt to dum Him down. These Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, yet they asked Him a question about the resurrection (v.23-28). The response of Jesus is gold and mic drop worthy; “you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (v.29). 

After every attempt to test, entangle, or entrap Jesus it just left these groups looking more foolish and the crowds being more astonished. It even got to the point that no one dared to ask  Jesus any more questions (v.46). From now on they would just look to kill Him. 

The greatest question, however, was not asked by the Pharisee’s or the Sadducees. Their questions were for one singular person, Jesus. Jesus asked a question for all people present and the question is still relevant and should be asked today: 

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” 

What do you think about the Christ? Is He a lunatic like the Pharisees thought He was? Is He a liar like the Sadducees thought He was? Or, Is He Lord like He proclaims He is? What do you think?

That’s the real question. 

If we answer, He is Lord, then what does that look like for your life? To be Lord means to be the Master of another. To be Lord means that there is someone who has authority over another. To be Lord means that they are the primary influencer over another. To be Lord means that there is one that has power to act because of another. Get the picture?

So, it’s not only a question of what do I think, but rather how do I respond to Jesus as Lord?

A – For Jesus to be Lord means that I live a life of repentance and obediently take up my cross and follow Him, daily. 

R – Lord God, I proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Thank you God for the salvation that has been offered through your Son. Lord help me to surrender each day to you. Help me to take every thought captive. Guide my steps and lead me into the way of righteousness. 

In Jesus Name!

[Matthew 9, Proverbs 5]

H – Matthew 9:37–38, “[37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; [38] therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””

E – A Ready Harvest!

Jesus had a purpose, seek and save the lost. He made it known that He did not come for those who were well but those who were spiritually sick (Matthew 9:12). During his earthy time He caused the blind to see (9:30), the deaf to speak (9:33), the dead to rise (9:25), and healed afflictions and diseases (9:6, 22, 35). His disciples that followed Him and those that began to follow Him witnessed it all. However, there was another issue at hand, the world needed to hear of Jesus. He was looking for “Gospel proclaimers” to go and be part of carrying out His greatest miracle, the “Good News” in anticipation and expectation of salvation. 

To be a disciple of Jesus means that you follow Jesus. It means you act upon what the teacher is leading their students to do. For Jesus, He is asking His students (disciples) to go into the world, proclaim the Gospel (good news of Jesus), and watch the Lord’s harvest (salvation take place). [We can insert the “Great Commission” right now]

Yet, there was an issue, Jesus noticed there was few laborers. So, He asked His disciples to pray earnestly for laborers to be sent out into His harvest. This was and is a big deal. It was a big deal then when Jesus was in the flesh and it is a big deal now. There are not enough laborers. Statistically speaking, there is only a small percentage of claimed Christians that share their faith and the Gospel, and most (according to Barna Research) consider it “optional”.  It’s not optional. It is commanded. 

Christ has not yet return, which means that the harvest is still plentiful. There are people who need to hear and respond to the Gospel. But, who will go and who will tell?

A – Look for opportunities to share the Gospel, set the example, pray for others to join in, and ask God to bring His harvest. 

R – Lord God, thank you for the gift of salvation. Thank you for mercy and grace. Lord I pray others would experience your compassion towards them. Lord, help me to see this harvest field and be ready to plant, water, or harvest. Lord, I earnestly ask that you would raise up laborers. Our Families, Schools, County, State, Country, Nation, and World need to hear to glorious good news of the Gospel. I pray that I would see Gospel proclaimers raise up. I pray I would see your great harvest. I pray I would see disciples making disciples that make disciples. Lord God, do it, I pray. 

In Jesus Name!