The Son Was Sent: The Scandal and Beauty of God’s Grace

By Dean Collins

The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem began a week of questioning by the Pharisees and the rest of the religious hierarchy about his identity and authority. Jesus responded to their questions with a series of parables and questions of his own. And just ahead of his final days of suffering, he chose to spend time with his disciples to give them clarity of his mission and of both his and their future.

After Jesus turned the tables upside down and called out the misuse of the temple by the religious leaders, the chief priests asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus followed by turning the questions back on those who sought to protect their territory and to get rid of Jesus.  

“I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?”

By now I suppose all of us have figured out what the Pharisees and priests had not figured out. You cannot outsmart God. It is easy for us as armchair theologians to see what the religious crowd didn’t accept. But how often do we think we can outsmart or outmaneuver God and his plans for us? 

This Holy Week is an opportunity to reflect on Jesus and to consider if we are fully trusting and believing all that he said and, more, all that he did for us at the cross and at his resurrection. 

The parable of the two sons gave the religious crowd a picture of who was obedient and who was not. The first son refused his father’s instructions yet changed his mind and went home. The second son said he was obeying but actually didn’t. When Jesus asked the crowd which son did the will of his father, they answered correctly: the first son. Jesus went on to make clear to the crowd what he was saying:

“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

 I sometimes wonder if we act like there is a third option. Sometimes we choose to follow what Jesus has asked, and sometimes we refuse to follow him. We tend to default in our obedience, thinking that there is a middle ground with Jesus. 

When Jesus revealed himself to John on the Isle of Patmos, he said these words to the churches of Laodicea: 

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

According to Jesus, there isn’t a third option to his question. Jesus followed the parable of the two sons with another parable. The first century listener would have likely related this story to their daily experiences with Rome and how, on any given day, they were subjected to the intrusion of the Roman government regarding their lives and their possessions. Doesn’t it sound absurd that after the master had sent two different groups of fifty only to see the tenants kill these large groups, that he would have sent just his son and expect that the tenants would be reasonable?

Just like there is not a third option to obedience, there isn’t a third option to the stewardship of resources that God has provided to us. To abuse our stewardship is a rejection of the cornerstone of our faith.

These were hard stories for the religious crowd in the first century. They are hard stories for us as well. In this Holy Week, we have a fresh opportunity to consider Jesus and both his sacrifice for us as well as the marvelous gift of forgiveness and grace he extends to us.

Father, open our eyes this week to see clearly who you are. Forgive us for the many times and ways we try to find a third way of obedience. Today, we ask that you strengthen our resolve to serve you only and completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 21:23-46; Revelation 3:15-20 ESV

Photo by Pexels
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.