The Honor Is Now All Yours :: Matthew 22:34-46

By

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus questioned them, saying, ‘What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The [son] of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet’? If then David calls him Lord, how is [he] his son?’ And no one was able to answer him a word, nor was anyone bold enough from that day to question him any longer (vv 41-46).

[Introduction]

What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?

These were the questions Jesus asked the Pharisees after they tried to interrogate him. And they are fundamental questions we need to be able to answer reverently and correctly.

The Pharisees did not answer the first question. But we will. The answer they gave to the second question ... Whose son is he? ... was faithless. Theirs was incomplete. Christ is not just David’s Son. He is not just an heir to the throne. He’s not just a son, a man, a teacher, an expert on the law who recites chapter and verse. He’s not just a champion, a conqueror, a king. He’s more ... much, much more. And had the Pharisees been listening, they would have known that.

As Genesis and Exodus in particular teach us: Christ is the Son of the Woman (Gen 3:15). He is the Son of the Promise given to Abraham (Gen 15:5). He is the son who carried the tree ... quietly and willingly laying down on the altar as the sacrifice of the Father (Gen 22:6-9). He is the son of Israel who died and rose again so that many will live (Gen 37:31, 39:2-4, 50:20). He is the son who shed his blood, like a lamb, so that our Father would pass over the sins of the people (Ex 12). He is, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10[:4], the one who followed his people during the Exodus, giving them living water and daily bread amid their trials and tribulations (Ex 16:17-18, 17:5-7). He is also the high priest in Leviticus who makes atonement (Lv 4:5, 16:16).

More than that, he is the son whose heart, loyalty, and will align with God’s own heart (1 Sm 13:14). He is the son of the virgin who is called Immanuel (Is 7:14). He is the son who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Is 9:6) but who nevertheless was despised and rejected by men ... the one on whom all iniquity was laid (Is 53:3,6). And he most certainly is the son who poured out his life unto death (Is 53:12) before being raised on the third day, as promised in the Latter Prophets, so that we may live before him (Hos 6:3) and find refuge in him through his new covenant (Hos 2:22, Joel 3:18, Isa 25:6).

These are but a few of the ways we could answer our Lord’s question that are exponentially better than the Pharisaical and worldly answer that the Christ is less than True God and True Man. As Peter teaches us to confess, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Mt 16:16). 

Brothers and sisters in Christ: This is the faith of our fathers and mothers. This is the faith we’ve all been given. And we honor our fathers and mothers by sharing that with our children and grandchildren and those nearest to us.

[Catechism]

Today we begin an examination of the second table of the law, which teaches us to honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish. Please turn now to Page 321 in your service book, and review the Fourth Commandment. 

As the Head of the Family should teach them in a simple way to his household: What is the Fourth Commandment? Honor your father and your mother. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them. 

2.

The law expert asked Jesus, Which is the great and first commandment? And Jesus answered by saying, Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and your whole being, and your whole mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (vv 37-39). 

Now notice how Jesus connects the fourth commandment with the first three, the first table of the Law with the second table. 

All of these commandments go together. They all work together. As Saint John reminds us, if anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar. ... Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:20-21). The first and second table work together. Jesus said something similar during the Sermon on the Mount: [Keep loving] your enemies, and [keep praying] for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father, who is in the heavens (5:44-45). 

Your heavenly Father has called each one of us to honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish. And that’s what all of our parents taught us to do ... or should have. 

But all too often, we despise our fathers and mothers when we roll our eyes ... grumble at them or about them ... when we tune them out or challenge them. We anger our fathers and mothers and other authorities when we treat their sacrifices as something we are owed ... when we don’t love and cherish one another. 

And parents, we’re not off the hook. Paul says, Fathers, don’t provoke your children to anger (or exasperate them), but bring them up in discipline and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). We provoke them when we are harsh ... when we are absent ... when we leave the teaching of the faith to everyone but ourselves. We exasperate them by shifting our standards or by dismissing their genuine efforts through harsh criticism.

And the commandment doesn’t stop at the kitchen table. It reaches every authority God has set over us ... the boss we gossip about, the teacher we dismiss, the government we curse, the pastor we second-guess and roll our eyes at. ... We are to honor, serve, obey, love, cherish all in authority. We learned that from our father and mother, who learned that from their father and mother, who learned that from our Heavenly Father.

So who among us can say we have done all of that?

Therefore, we all need to repent. As Luther teaches us in the Large Catechism, if people would take this to heart, all would be well. For parents would have more joy, love, friendship, and unity. ... The children could captivate their hearts (LC I.4.121). 

1. 

Now we can return to the question ... What do you think of the Christ? 

He is perfect God and perfect man ... born of the woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (Gal 4:4). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rv 19:16). He is True Man, born of the virgin Mary ... and True God, the one to whom the Father said: Sit at my right hand. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Hb 1:3 ESV). He is the founder and finisher of our faith (Hb 12:2).

And he is the only one who has ever honored his Father and Mother in every aspect of his life. He is the perfect, sinless son. Luke tells us that as a boy he was submissive to Mary and Joseph (2:51). He listened to his teachers in the church and asked questions (2:45). He was gentle even with those who interrogated him. And he honored his Father by returning to his house and receiving his gifts with glad and generous hearts whenever possible. 

Even when he hung on the cross, he was still honoring his mother, seeing to it that she was cared for (Jn 19:26-27). He stood silent before the governor, an earthly authority who had no power over him unless it was given from above (Jn 19:11). And then, he willingly submitted to his holy will to his heavenly Father, bearing all sin for all men for all time. 

Jesus carried all of your disobedience; all of your contempt for your fathers and mothers; all of your hate for your brother; all of your idolatry and adultery, theft, gossip, covetousness; all of your weaknesses; even your death ... he carried it all to the cross, where it was all crucified, died, and was buried. Then he rested on the Sabbath and rose on the Third Day for you. And he gives you honor by uniting himself with you in Baptism and inviting you to his Feast. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ ...

THE HONOR GIVEN TO DAVID’S SON AND DAVID’S LORD IS NOW ALL YOURS

[Conclusion]

So when your home life is not what it ought to be ... when you have been the child who despised, or the parent who provoked ... remember that as God himself covers the sins you commit and you do the same with one another ... it may go well with you.

Then we can give thanks to God always because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any gift of grace, as you await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless, in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful through whom you were called into the communion of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Cor 1:4-9) ... in his name. Amen.

Popular posts from this blog

Who We Are and What We Will Be :: 1 John 3:1-3

By
[Prayer] Blessed Lord, you have caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to heart that, by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  [Introduction] Today we observe the Feast of All Saints ... aka All Saints Day. The Church has set aside this day to remember with thanksgiving all the saints who have gone before us ... the saints who now rest from their labors and are with the Lord. Though we cannot see them, we know they are with us. As the preacher in the Book of Hebrews teaches us, we are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses to the faith ... the great communion of saints ... the whole church on earth and in heaven during every Divine Service (Hb 12:1; Proper Preface).  But All Saints Day isn’t only for those who have died in the faith. We are also called to remember that we too have been sanc...
Read more

Faithful Stewardship of God’s Gifts :: Luke 16:1-9

By
[Prayer] Almighty and Most Generous Lord, forgive us for our unrighteous use of Your gifts. Grant us repentance that we receive from You the True Wealth of Your Son, Jesus, who took our  unrighteousness to the cross and grave, and granted us everlasting life in Your heavenly dwelling. Sanctify us with Your Spirit, that we use your riches rightly and enable us to cling alone to the faithfulness of Your Son. In Jesus’ name. Amen. [Introduction] Our reading from Luke 16 ... the Parable of the Unrighteous Steward ... is widely considered the most difficult reading of the lectionary to understand. It’s riddled with problems of interpretation, not the least of which are, Is Jesus commending a man for being dishonest? And Where’s the Gospel?  So I will start today by telling you what this parable is not about. It is ... NOT ... encouraging you to be dishonest. It’s NOT about what WE NEED TO DO to pay off our debt to the Lord. And it’s NOT about what WE need to do to gain access to ou...
Read more

Sounds of the Passion: Weeping Tears :: John 11:35

By
[Introduction] Weeping. This is one of those sounds we never want to hear. When you hear the sound of weeping, you want it to stop. Though sometimes we weep tears of joy, mostly we weep because something’s wrong. Maybe we are confronted with death or the loss of a career. Maybe the loss of a relationship brings us to tears. But sooner or later, we all weep. Jesus wept (v 35). This two-word verse in the Bible eloquently and powerfully proclaims that we actually have a high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hb 4:15). Jesus is the Lord who rejoices with those who rejoice and he mourns with those who mourn (Rm 12:15).  He weeps because he is True Man. He weeps because he is True God. Our Lord saw the pain that sin and death causes ... and he wept. And like Joseph, our Lord weeps over those who reject his peace (Gen 50:17; Lk 19:41).  Can you hear how he loves you? 3. The first time we encounter Jesus weeping is at the death of Lazarus.  Lazarus was a cl...
Read more

In the Name Above All Names :: Luke 11:14-28

By
In the name of Jesus ... The demon came out, the mute man spoke, and the crowd marveled (v 14). [Introduction] For the third time in three weeks, we have heard of a conflict between God and the devil. Two weeks ago, our Lord rebuked satan for his accusations against God himself. Last week, our Lord walked into a pagan wilderness to answer the prayer of a faithful woman whose daughter was being tormented by a demon. And now today, our Lord has given a faithful confession to a man who had been silenced by a demon. In all three cases, we learned that “The One” who is stronger than the unholy trinity of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh has arrived. Jesus has come and brings great blessings. Jesus has come to cleanse and set us free. Jesus has come to leave those of us who actively hear his Word and guard it ... holding it close ... blessed and in awe.  IN THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, JESUS HAS COME TO GIVE US A FAITHFUL CONFESSION  1.  Now, before we get into this text...
Read more

Forgiveness Doesn’t Count :: Matthew 18:21-35

By
[Introduction] Forgiveness doesn’t count. It never counts. Now don’t misunderstand what I just said ... I don’t mean that forgiveness doesn’t matter. Forgiveness DEFINITELY matters. It actually is the most IMPORTANT thing in our lives.  We always need forgiveness. We need it from God. We need it from each other. We need it daily. We need to receive it. We need to give it. We need to share it. We’d be lost without it. That’s what Jesus teaches us today.  Matthew writes: When Peter came up to [Jesus], he said, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I release him [from the consequences]. Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you, not up to seven times, but up to seventy-times seven’ (vv 21-22). In other words, forgiveness doesn’t count. By telling us to forgive ‘seventy-times’ ... seven, Jesus was not giving us a math problem to solve. He was not saying it is okay to draw a new line at 491. He was describing what perfect and complete forgiveness really loo...
Read more

The Truth Leads to Reformation :: John 8:(28-30) 31-36

By
Therefore, Jesus said, When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM and (that) I do nothing from myself, but just as the Father taught me, these things I speak. And the One who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone because I always do those things pleasing to him.  As he was saying these things, many believed in him. Therefore, Jesus said toward the Jews (who believed and continued to believe in) him: If you remain in my Word, truly you are my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. They responded to him: We are the seed of Abraham and (we have never been, nor continue to be) enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be free’? Jesus answered them, Amen, Amen, I say to you: Everyone doing sin is a slave of sin. Now the slave does not remain in the house forever. The son remains forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free (vv 28-36). [Introduction] Why do we celebrate the Reformation every...
Read more

Sounds of the Passion: Sloshing Water :: John 13:1-15 (34-35)

By
[Out of sight, behind the pulpit, pour water into a bowl.]  [Introduction] Did you hear that? It’s the sound of water being poured from a pitcher into a bowl.  [Show the bowl, set it down, and pour more.] That was a common sound in the days before running water. It was common in every bedroom to have a pitcher and basin to wash in before beginning the new day. And the sound of sloshing water had a special significance in the Passion of our Lord. The sound signified a special cleaning ... By washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus made the disciples clean.  Jesus also gave us a washing. He washed us in Baptism. Through the washing of water and the Word of God, he made us clean. So tonight, therefore, listen ... WE HEAR THE SOUND OF SLOSHING WATER TO REMIND US OF OUR CLEANSING 1. To understand the importance of sloshing water, we need to remember the customs in Jesus’ day.  First, anything dealing with the feet was considered dirty and disgusting. Cleaning feet was fit ON...
Read more

Your Redemption Is Drawing Near :: Luke 21:25-36

By
Now when these things begin to happen, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. [Introduction] Once upon a time, Christmas didn’t begin until midnight Christmas Eve, and it lasted for a full twelve days. But the world has hijacked Christmas. Now Advent is largely ignored. Christmas ends the day after, gift-giving ends, and thoughts of self begin. And that’s too bad. Advent is a season that we need to pay attention to. Advent reminds us [our] redemption is drawing near.   Advent is a season that helps us prepare for the coming of Christ. He is drawing near. The word advent literally means coming. Christ is coming. The first coming of Christ was a couple thousand years ago ... at his birth in Bethlehem. The second coming of Christ will be on the clouds in power and great glory (v 27). As we will sing soon, Christ is near with his cheer; Never will he leave me (LSB 756:1).  The first Advent of our Lord was one of humility. On Christmas, God hu...
Read more

He Has Provided Salvation on the Mountain :: Genesis 22:1-14

By
And Abraham called the name of that place, YHWH will provide (v 14).  [Introduction] Scripture was written to tell us about Jesus. As that sign on the wall in the back of the sanctuary says, It’s still all about Jesus! Every word of it. It’s all about how YHWH shows us our salvation. When Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible ... Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, he was writing about Jesus as the promised redeemer who fulfills the Law, who acts as the ultimate sacrifice and completes the story of salvation. It’s all there: His birth, his life, his death, his resurrection. Consider that Genesis 3 promises that the son who crushes sin, death, and the devil will come from the woman (v 15) and that God will cover our sin and shame (v 21). Genesis 37-50 describes his death and resurrection. It tells us that our redeemer will come from Judah, and that there is unconditional forgiveness. Exodus then highlights that God is always with us and that he sets us free...
Read more

Have in Mind the Humility of Christ :: Philippians 2:5-11

By
[Introduction] The Palm Sunday parade for our Lord Jesus is one of the more vibrant scenes in the Bible, and it gets people excited. Today we see and hear Jesus coming. And THAT’s exciting. Like the Greeks who went up for worship in our Gospel reading, we also long to see Jesus (Jn 12:21).  Now picture this: the streets of Jerusalem are packed with people, ten times more than normal, all for one of the most important celebrations of the year, Passover. Many of those people had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 12:1). As Jesus entered the city, all but a handful of them began singing ... Hosanna to the Son of David ... that is, Save us, please, Jesus!  While Roman leaders typically entered Jerusalem from the north on war horses to display their pride and power, Jesus has come riding a donkey from the east in humility. By identifying Jesus as the Son of David, the people are acknowledging that he is in fact the Messiah ... the Prophet like Moses. And by paving...
Read more