Good Morning Friends,
“But when the chief priests and the teachers of
the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple
area, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant. ‘Do you hear what
these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you
never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?’”
(Matthew 21:15-16)
Why would anyone criticize others, especially
children, for praising God?
Jealousy perhaps. No one shouted praise to them
like these children were doing to Jesus.
Fear that Jesus was going to take away their
places of honor and power.
Fear of change. If Jesus was the Messiah, He
might well point out some areas in their lives that were not pleasing to God
and change would be required.
A protective spirit. They were comfortable with
the status quo and anything that threatened to alter it would be viewed with
great suspicion.
Indignation over what they thought was
blasphemy. The priests and teachers were not convinced Jesus was the Messiah,
yet the praise of the children attributed that title (“Son of David”) to Him. We,
too, would be upset by what we considered blasphemy. On the other hand, the
miracles and teachings of Jesus should have already convinced these leaders of
God’s people that Jesus was the Messiah. They had been given ample opportunity
to consider Him and more than sufficient evidence to be convincing.
Anytime something new comes along, criticism
will always come along with it. Change is hard. But the question is not, “Do I
like the change?” or any other question like that, but, “Is it from God?” If it
is from God, nothing else matters.
His, by Grace, Steve
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