Yet, we are also unnerved by the stubbornness of sin seen in these hypocritical religious leaders because the same qualities are still seen in people today. We rejoice because the invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God has gone out to all, so we are included. (See: T he Longsuffering Landlord & His Son).They are like the rude wedding guests who will suffer destruction for their disregard of the King’s invitation and their treatment of His servants. They are the descendants of those who killed the prophets of God throughout Israel’s history and they were now plotting to kill Jesus, the Son of God. They claimed to be pious, but disobeyed God’s commandments and refused to listen to John’s the Baptist’s call for repentance. They are like the disobedient son who said he would do the father’s will, but did not. Jesus told three scathing parables against them.
Their purpose was to find a way to discredit Jesus before the people, but instead, they were the ones discredited. Who or what entity authorized Him to not only drive out the people who were defiling the Temple, but also to teach and do miracles as He did? (See: Condemned City, Condemned Nation) The Chief Priests and the Elders had been intimidated then, but on Wednesday morning they went on the offensive, and when Jesus entered the Temple, they challenged Him about the source of His authority to do all the things that He was doing. The day before this, Jesus had cleared out the merchants and money changers from the Temple. It is Wednesday of Passover week and the antagonism between the Jewish religious leaders and Jesus is reaching its peak. (If you would like to download the PowerPoint presentation for this sermon, Click Here – 173 Obligations to Caesar:Obligations to God)
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