Matthew 21:1-17 Jesus Comes Clean About Who He Really Is
It is never easy to talk about yourself but in this fascinating chapter Matthew records what Jesus says about his true nature. He does not mince his words. Time is short and his execution is fast approaching. Jesus is saying that he is the King of all people, God’s king, God’s Messiah.
The nature of his kingship when he lived on earth is very different to what it will be when he returns in glory. In the last book of the Bible, John gives us a glimpse of the glory Jesus will have then.
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron sceptre” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’” Revelation 19:11-16
He is not mild then, he is God Almighty, sitting on the heavenly throne with his Father. The prophet Daniel had been shown that in the future a man would be worshipped as God and would be given all power and authority:
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14
Matthew describes Jesus’ kingship in Matthew chapter 21 by telling us of five events that occurred at this time in Jesus life. Their meaning could not be clearer, Jesus really is King both of the Jews but also of all people. Let us look at what Matthew is saying.
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey
As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem for the final time he told them to do something strange. They were to go into the village of Bethphage, which was on the Mount of Olives that overlooked Jerusalem, and they would see a donkey with its colt standing there. They are to bring them to Jesus. If anyone asks them questions they are to say,
“The Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” Matthew 21:3
We are not told whether an agreement had been reached before. What we are told is the reason for this strange request:
“This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’’ Matthew 21:4-5
This is a quotation from the prophet Zechariah about the Messiah. Jesus is deliberately saying that this is about himself. Little could be more obvious; he is God’s chosen king! This prophecy also describes his character. Jesus was amazingly gentle when we consider who he really is; he did not call down thunderbolts to destroy those opposed to him but longed that they would come to see the error of their ways before it was too late.
When Old Testament passages are quoted in the New Testament the context and verses either side that are not quoted are usually very significant and they are in this case. The passage in Zechariah reads,
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem. See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10
What they did not realise was that this gracious humble king who is entering Jerusalem on a donkey is demonstrating how different he is to rulers of this world. He did not enter God’s own city, Zion, on a large white stallion surrounded by soldiers as Pontius Pilate had done. Yet this same person will eventually rule the whole world and then no opposition will be able to exist.
2. Jesus accepts peoples’ worship
Everything went as Jesus planned. They placed ordinary cloaks on the animals. As Jesus approached Jerusalem a very large crowd gathered to welcome him. These people spread their cloaks and branches from local trees, probably palm trees, on the road. This was done when Jehu were crowned king in the Old Testament (2 Kings 9:13),
“ ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ They hurried and took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, ‘Jehu is king.’ 2 Kings 9:13
The people must have known this tradition, but Jesus did not rebuke them.
The crowds were shouting phrases that came from the Old Testament which referred to the Messiah.
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9
The crowd shouted praises to Jesus, “Hosanna!” Hosanna is a word used to express praise or adoration to God, meaning, “Save, I pray or Save now!” The reason they welcomed Jesus so enthusiastically was because they heard the news about Jesus calling Lazarus from the tomb and raising him from the dead (John 12:17–18). The word ‘hosanna’ comes from a Hebrew word meaning “save now” or “save us, we pray.”
The first word of Psalm 118:25 is the Hebrew word ‘Hosannah’, and is linked to the word ‘Jehovah’. It is translated “O LORD, save us!” The crowd’s use of this word at the triumphal entry was significant—especially as they waved palm branches. Psalm 118 was associated with the Feast of Tabernacles when palm branches were waved.. By saying “hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem and referring to David and David’s kingdom, the Jews were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. The Jews had been waiting a long time for the coming of their Messiah (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17:11–14; 2 Chronicles 6:16), and their shouts of “hosanna in the highest” indicated the belief that their Messiah had finally come to establish God’s kingdom though doubtless few understood this in the way Jesus had taught.. Luke tell us that there was an expectancy that this Kingdom was soon to come whereas Jesus taught that it had already come because their King had come (Mark 1:15).
“ . . he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” Luke 19:11
The use of the phrase ‘Son of David” is also Messianic. Seventeen times this phrase is used of Jesus in the New Testament. The Old Testament teaches that the Messiah would be a physical descendant of King David. There can be no doubt that the people were then worshipping Jesus as their Messiah! They were realising what Peter and the disciples had come to understand; they were realising who Jesus really was. Peter had exclaimed a little earlier,
“You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16
The vital thing to understand is that this humble Jesus accepted all this worship because he knew it was valid.
3. Jesus clears his temple
Jesus’ next act was to enter the temple and what he found distressed him deeply.
“Jesus entered the temple area and drove our all who were buying and selling there.. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12
This was not just the rebellion of an angry young idealist, he was genuinely concerned for his Father’s glory and honour. He did this to fulfil other Old Testament prophecies. Matthew continues to explain Jesus’ explanation,
“‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12-13
The Jewish authorities must have known these passages that Jesus was quoting. The prophets were also outspoken against the abuse of religious power for financial or other gains. In both those passages it is God who is speaking and Jesus intends people to understand that God is still speaking.
“For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7
In this passage Isaiah is talking about the coming kingdom of God and Jesus is now saying that he is the promised king. This kingdom Isaiah talks about is also going to be global, and talks about the foreigners who will come to the one true God,
“ And the foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him. . . and give them joy in my house of prayer.” Isaiah 56:6
Jeremiah was also talking to religious leaders who privately broke God’s law and yet think they are safe from God’s judgment. He had not acted up to then although shortly after Jeremiah said this the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians whom God had allowed to defeat his adulterous people.
“Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Jeremiah 7:11
Jesus is emphasising not just that he is God’s king but that his kingdom is for all people.
4. Jesus Heals
The next illustration of Jesus’ kingship was one that had a marked impact on the people of Israel in Jesus’ time.
“The blind and lame came to him at the temple and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant.” Matthew 21:14-15
The raising of Lazarus from the dead after he had been in a tomb for four days had been the trigger for the worship of Jesus but for three years Jesus had healed people who came to him for help.
Again Jesus replies to the religious leaders anger by quoting from the Scriptures.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” Matthew 21:16
Jesus could have quoted some of the many passages in the Old Testament that teach that the Messiah would heal people with impossible conditions such as:
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:5-6,
Instead he replies,
“ ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, have you never read, ‘From the lips of infants and children you have ordained praise.’” Matthew 21:16
This quote is from Psalm 8 which reads,
“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:1-2
Jesus has just received the praise of children and then explains this by quoting a psalm where children are praising God. Psalm 8 is a Messianic Psalm written by King David. It describes how the Lord created ‘the heavens’ and is praised by children. But then the psalm continues to acknowledge the ‘Son of Man’.
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.” Psalm 8:4-6
The ‘him’ in this psalm is in the singular, it refers to just one man who is ‘crowned with glory and honour’. The book of Hebrews quotes this passage and confirms that it is all about Jesus.
“In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:8-9
Jesus’s meaning, in quoting this Psalm, is obvious, he saying he is God’s Messiah. Jesus has said enough to make it clear what he wants all people to know about him.
5. Jesus reminds them of Scripture
The fifth argument is apparent within these four answer of Jesus. In each case he moves the conversation back to what God has said to mankind in Scripture, just as he did when tempted by Satan. How well Jesus knew these passages of Scripture and the context they come in. For him they are authoritative.
The Old Testament gives approximately 330 prophecies about the coming Messiah, 60 of which are major ones. However the Scriptures do much more than this. They tell us about God’s character (such as Exodus 34:6), give many examples of people’s sin but stress the hope of salvation. This salvation was found through having a personal relationship with God demonstrated by obedience backed by involvement in the sacrifices of sheep bulls and goats as substitutes for their sin. All this is fulfilled in Jesus who, as God’s chosen king, died as the final sacrifice for our sin. Jesus demands the same level of faith from us that men such as Abraham and David had. Jesus wants people of all nations to be certain that he really is God’s chosen king, our Messiah who has the power to save us so that we can put our trust in him.
When Jesus came to earth for the first time, two thousand years ago, he came with love and humility. He explained that he would come again but then it will be in power to rule; all his enemies will be removed from his holy presence. The good news or gospel is that Jesus is now ready to receive all who turn to him and we receive forgiveness, an eternal future and a purpose in living. Our response must be to acknowledge his right to rule over us because of the evidence, both objective (such as Jesus gives us in Matthew 21) and subjective. Subjective evidence is what we instinctively know, that our life has a purpose, that there are real values such as love, honesty, truth and beauty that can only be valid if we have been created by a real loving God.
C.S. Lewis, the author, professor at Cambridge University and former antagonist to the Christian faith wrote about Jesus in his book “Mere Christianity”,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say.
A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse.
You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The decision, with its eternal consequences, remains with each one of us.
BVP
Matthew 11:28. ‘A Man under Authority’
A recent e-mail from a student worker analysed the thinking of students today. One striking factor was,
“They dislike all authority.”
Another youngster said of his generation,
“They’re not impressed by authority. So for instance they don’t see why they should be interested in the Bible.”
‘Anarchism’ is a political philosophy and movement that rejects all involuntary, coercive forms of hierarchy. Radically it calls for the abolition of the state which it holds to be undesirable, unnecessary and harmful. It became a ‘worker’s’ movement, alongside Marxism, and at times was also violently militant. Both Marxism and Anarchism developed because people wanted to live without being under authority - but this is not possible, all that happens is the ruler changes. We saw from communism that it has given rise to even worse forms of tyranny than that which was replaced. Eastern European countries thought they were being liberated in 1917 but the effect was the very opposite.
The problem is that man is naturally selfish and without some pressure, either from coercion or from retribution, civilisation would be destroyed. Some form of policing and judicial system is essential. We do need strong governments, weak governments are a disaster for a society. Alan Richardson said in his fine little book, ‘The Political Christ’,
“Without strong government, human life would be, as Thomas Hobbs and the biblical realists agree, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.”
William Temple, who was one of the most astute Archbishops of Canterbury once said,
“It is desirable that government should be just, it is essential that it should be strong.”
Some may prefer to change what is desirable and what is essential in this statement but surely both strength and justice are needed for good government.
The point is that all people need to live under authority and yet naturally we don’t like this because we want to be independent. Parents, schoolteachers, bosses at work and governments must have the authority to rule. Many of us have suffered under unfair and even cruel authorities and that can further exacerbate our dislike of authority but nonetheless, some authority over us is clearly vital. For example, driving on our roads would be chaotic if there were no authority and rules.
Leith Samuel was one of the great Christian teachers of students in the 1960s. He deliberately chose as the title of his autobiography,
“A Man Under Authority.”
To become a Christian means to voluntarily submit to the authority of God over our lives. Just as a young horse has to be ‘broken in’ or disciplined to be of any use, so do human beings. A spoilt child is not only unpopular but will become a real problem unless learn to live under authority. I have just been re-reading Dr James Dobson’s book “Straight Talk to Men and their Wives” where he stresses the need for all children to be brought up under loving constraint. He claims that, without this, they will not understand how to live happily in society. He tells the story of a strong willed, rambunctious child who was taken see a paediatrician. Before the consultation a nurse weighed and measured the boy and took a short medical history.
“Tell me, Mrs Ortlund, how is he sleeping?”
The boy interrupted and answered on his own behalf,
“I sleep very well.”
“How’s his appetite, Mrs Ortlund?”
Again the boy took over,
“I eat everything.”
“And how are his bowels, Mrs. Ortlund?’
The boy responded,
“A, E, I, O, U.”
There is an independence that is important, but when this becomes wilful and selfish it becomes dangerous and must be curbed.
Yokes
Jesus said,
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
A yoke is some form of authority. Originally it was a wooden device used to harness two oxen together to enable them to pull a plough together. Jesus probably used this idea because it comes in the Old Testament. God told Jeremiah to go up and down the streets of Jerusalem and search everywhere,
“If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” Jeremiah 5:1
People were still a bit religious but this did not influence the way they lived,
“Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, still they swear falsely.” Jeremiah 5:2
Jeremiah wondered if this was because the people were poor and ignorant,
“I thought, ‘These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.” Jeremiah 5:4
“ ‘So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.’ But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.” Jeremiah 5:5
Clearly the ‘yoke’ was what God requires of people, however they wanted to be just as independent of God as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. If we are to live peaceful, happy, victorious, fruitful ives we must accept the yoke that God places us under.
Jesus himself lived under three yokes.
1. The Yoke of human authority
As Jesus was growing up he was tempted ion every way that we are. Yet we read,
“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.” Luke 2:51
The New English Bible is a patchy translation, probably because it was made by a committee, some bits are good and other parts not so good, but here it translates the Greek very well,
“ . . . under their authority.”
Jesus learned to live under the authority of his parents. Obedience to the Lord Jesus is axiomatic of Christian discipleship in the New Testament. Jesus repeatedly said,
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” John 14:21
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23
It is no coincidence that after stressing the need for obedience that he talks about the peace that his followers will experience. This is the peace that comes from living under God’s authority.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Our peace and security comes when we are living as God wants us to. We are meant to live under God’s yoke. This is how we can bring peace to people. Peace in the New Testament is usually an inner peace. Surely this is why Jesus said in the Beatitudes,
“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
To introduce people to their Lord and help them live under his authority is the task of the church. No wonder Jesus goes on to say that his people will be persecuted, people naturally hate the idea of God’s authority over them.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew 5:11
Ephesians
Successful families have to learn to live subordinately to each other. Paul expounds this idea at some length in Ephesians 5, a chapter often preached on at wedding services. It includes a sentence that some feminists object to,
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22
But Paul wisely prefaces this teaching with,
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21
He also follows it with a directive for husbands,
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for here, to make her holy . .” Ephesians 5:25
In the following chapter Paul emphasises the need for obedience of children to their parents and of slaves to their masters, but adds that even those who own slaves must treat them respectfully because we know that everyone is living under God’s authority. Whoever we are, we are all to ‘submit to one another out of reverence for Christ’ (Ephesians 5:21).
1 Peter
Peter also emphasises the importance of submitting to authorities. When discussing how Christians should live in this world, he begins with the problem of sin,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as strangers and aliens in this world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against you soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
Christians must not be weak in our battle against sin but singleminded and clear thinking.
Christians must live in society so as to win the respect of those around us. We must not live as recluses but be seen to live honourably,
“Live such good lives among the heathens that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12
This will mean being law-abiding citizens. Being under grace does not mean we are not under the laws of our society.
“Submit yourselves to every authority instituted among men, whether to the king, as th supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” 1 Peter 2:13
The same goes at work,
“Slaves (or servants), submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” 1 Peter 2:18
The same goes in families,
“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” 1 Peter 3:1
The same goes for church elders,
“Be shepherds of God’s flock, serving as overseers . . .” 1 Peter 5:2
Even the presbyters, those with responsibilities for controlling and teaching the churches, must be its servants.
The same goes for the young men in the church, those perhaps most prone to be independent,
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.” 1 Peter 5:5
Dean Selwyn wrote in his brilliant commentary on 1 Peter,
“The New Testament ethic is a subordinationist ethic.”
We must all serve each other.
Modern Society
This emphasis in the Bible is not popular in modern societies. Feminism longs for equality and independence. Anarchism seeks to do away with authorities. The bible stresses that men and women are of equal worth in God’s eyes but are complementary to men, both in homes and churches.
The Children’s Rights movement considers that authority is harmful to children. Their objectives are outlined in a ‘Child’s Bill of Rights’ have been paraphrased thus,
1. Children should have the right to make all their own decisions. Thus it proposes the abolition of parental leadership
2. Children of any age should have the right to live where they chose. A three year old would have the right to live with a neighbour who bought him sweets.
3. Children of any age should have the right to vote and be involved in any decisions that affect their lives (whether governmental, ecclesiastical, educational, medical or familial.)
4. Children should have access to any information that is available to adults. No pornography or violence should be shielded from a child.
5. Children should be permitted to engage in any sexual activity that is legal for their parents.
6. Children should never be spanked under any circumstances, whether at school or at home.
This list goes on and can be read in Dr Dobson’s ‘Straight Talk to Men and their Wives’ page 61.
You might think this is a list of radical extremists but it is now being slowly absorbed into the west. In 1979 the Swedish government passed a law in their parliament, by 259 votes to 6, that prohibits ‘any act, which, for the purpose of punishing, causes the child injury or pain, even if the disturbance is mild and passing.’ This means parents may not spank or otherwise punish their children! This doctrine is slowly spreading. The next thing will be that children should be able to divorce their parents. Dr Dobson says that Sweden has passed this law too!
Such changes are attacking a God-given pattern of life. Parents must train their children and teach them to respect authority. Are we not beginning to reap what we have sown =in our school classrooms and in the behaviour of some youngsters today. How cruel can we be to them.
Dr Dobson also recounts the story told him by an American attorney about his six year old son.
“Last Friday night, my wife, Becky, told him to pick up some orange peelings he had left on the carpet, which he knows is a ‘no-no.’ He failed to respond, and as a result received one slap on his behind, whereupon he began an obviously defiant temper tantrum.
Since I had observed the whole episode, I then called for my paddle and applied it appropriately, saw to it that he picked up and properly disposed of the orange peelings, and sent him straight to bed, since it was already past his bedtime. After a few minutes, when his emotions had had a chance to settle down, I went to his room and explained that God had instructed all parents who truly love their children to properly discipline them, etc., and that we truly love him and therefore would not permit such defiant behaviour.
The next morning, after I had gone to work, David presented his mother with the following letter, together with a little stack of ten pennies.
“From David and Deborah to Mom and Dad
Dear Mom and Dad
here is the 10 cints for patteling me when I really neded and that goes for Deborah to I love you
Love your son David and yur Doter Deborah
Throughout the world we are being taught a ‘me first’ philosophy. Frank Sinatra said it musically in his song,
“I did it my way.”
Sammy Davis Jnr followed this sentiment with,
“I’ve gotta be me.”
Robert Ringer followed this up with his book ‘Looking out for Number 1’ which became a best seller in the USA for nearly a year. Now there are so many books, articles and films encouraging promiscuity, open marriages and a self centred lifestyle. No wonder people are increasingly unhappy and relationships are increasingly unstable. We need to take God’s yoke back on us.
Political Christianity
Christians were at the forefront of the abolition of the slave trade and slavery. They were at the forefront of the abolition of child labour and the introduction of schools for all. Hospitals and caring for the sick were spearheaded by Christians.. there must be political implications of God’s rule in our lives, but the gospel is not political, it is about the Lord Jesus and his redemptive work for us on the cross and his Lordship of his world. Everything then comes out from this. Liberation theology does not emphasise that the good news is about who Jesus is, about the rule of Jesus in our hearts and establishing his kingdom. It is largely political about changing who rules but is seldom centred on putting Jesus Christ at the centre of people’s lives.
2. The Yoke of Holy Scripture
When the devil tempted Jesus when he was alone in the wilderness for forty days, he suggested,
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:3
Jesus answered by emphasising that he live under the authority of God’s word,
“It is written: Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4
Jesus believed in the verbal inspiration of Scripture, he talks of: “ . . . every word that comes form the mouth of God.”
Jesus is not attacking satan with a bible text, as if it were a bullet, Jesus is speaking to himself, he is saying that Scripture is the yoke that he lives under. Jesus clearly loved and studied the Jewish Scriptures and he often quotes from it. This quotation is from the book of Deuteronomy, which describes the time God’s people spent forty years being tested by God in the wilderness!
“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 4:2-5
Jesus knew, because he knew his Bible, that this was a lesson for himself. When he wondered why he was there in the desert, so soon after his baptism and his commissioning by his Father, the answer was clear, it was to test him to see if he would really go god’s way when the pressure was on him. Jesus was soaked in Scripture. It is a lesson we all need to learn,
“. . . to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 4:3
This is the yoke for all God’s people. Today physical needs such as food are considered to be more important that spiritual food, but the bible stresses that we can depend on our heavenly Father. If he wants us to live we will live, if he doesn’t want us to live, however careful we are we cannot prevent our death. Of course we must be wise but ultimately everything is in his hands. We are totally dependant on God. Didn’t Jesus say,
“So do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for the pagans run after all these things and you heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33
Many people’s lives today are full of fear and phobias. The life of faith frees us from fear. Our lives are not in our hands, our heartbeat is not under our control.
If we, like Jesus are living under the yoke of Scripture, reading it, studying it, coming to understand the mind of God and then obeying what he teaches, then we have learned the secret of life.
3. The Yoke of His Heavenly Father
Jesus always lived in tune with the wishes of his Father. Jesus said to some Jews who were persecuting him,
‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. . . that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father.” John 5:19
In one respect only Jesus could say this because he alone was perfectly obedient. However this is what Christians should aspire to. Jesus goes on to say,
“. . . for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30
“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28-29
This perfect man says that everything he has known has been taught him by God and everything he does is dependant on his Father. He did not do anything outside his Father’s will. In contrast we are like an untrained dog, always pulling on the lead to go our own way. We are like that with our heavenly Father but when I keep in close step with my heavenly Father, then I will experience what it means to be full of the Holy Spirit.
This is a lesson and example for us. We will repeatedly fail to live in obedience to Christ but we need to keep coming back to our heavenly father, admit where we have gone wrong and start again. We need to keep asking for his help to make us want to surrender to him.
What a great ideal this is, to learn to live, like Jesus, under these three yokes,
1. The Yoke of Human Authority
2. The Yoke of Holy Scripture
3. The Yoke of our heavenly Father
BVP