Selling Christ Short

Scripture: Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” Matthew 22:41-42

Observation: In the passage where the Pharisees are attempting to trap Jesus with questions - and are amazed repeatedly by his answers - Jesus turns the tables and asks them a very simple question. They get it wrong. Jesus is able to prove that the Christ is not the son of David, as David himself calls Christ "Lord".

However, it is in the response that we discover the true misunderstanding of those who fail to believe in Jesus as Christ. The root cause of their disbelief is not just about Jesus, but it is actually a complete misunderstanding of God and his promise of a Messiah savior. They are waiting for a descendent of David to come along and lead the people as a unifying king. They expect a man who can come into earthly power, become authority over the Jews, and lead them as a national, political, and spiritual leader. The Pharisees can clearly see Jesus is not that person, thus they cannot come to terms with Jesus as Christ.

Jesus isn't that person because that person isn't the Christ. Christ was to be the spiritual son of God - sent by God from heaven with all spiritual power and authority to demonstrate love for mankind, lead all people unto a unified faith and understanding of God, and create the way for everyone to be restored to God ... not just for the Jews to have their nation restored on earth.

Thus, this misunderstanding of Christ - and therefore their misunderstanding of the nature of God and his love, of the promise God has made through the prophets, and of God's overall redemptive plan for mankind - makes resisting Jesus a forgone conclusion for the Pharisees. And they have this misunderstanding because ... they love their position, conclusions, and vision (i.e., they love themselves), more than they love God.

Application: Two quick thoughts for meditation.

First, this is the exact same reason so many people reject Jesus today! They love themselves - and all the trapping of their lives they have adopted - more than they love Jesus or respect God. They love their earthly treasures, activities, homes, hobbies, comforts, etc., more than they love the promise of eternal life in heaven with their holy father and creator. They misunderstand that promise, so they reject it in favor of their own earthly decisions.

Second, are there ways I sell Jesus short? Are there daily situations where I misunderstand the nature of the Christ, and thus decide on myself and my ways ahead of Jesus and his teaching. Of course there are - I'm a sinner. However, beyond that, am I understanding the true nature of God and his love, and the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus, and thus the life that is to be lived in the shadow of that love and sacrifice?

I can worry about others, but I need to also make sure I embrace all there is about the truth of God, his love and justice, and the teachings of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, your ways are difficult to understand. They are so far above our understanding. However, you have made the core of your ways simple for us - that we are to love you by loving others, and to obey you by obeying Jesus. These things are to be done without consideration for myself, as I must always put myself out of the equation, and in so doing I can trust that you will absolutely care for me in amazing ways, now to some degree, but in the eternal future for certain. Help me to avoid self love - self worship - and never make myself an idol and stumbling block in my daily walk. Please, Lord, command your spirit that lives within me to direct my steps so that I put your work and your will at the forefront of everything I do, every day. Amen.