Day 2 – The Examination of the Lamb Without Blemish – Jesus in the Temple
Read Matthew 21:23 to 26:13 (If you want to read the accounts in Mark and Luke consider Mark 11:27 to 14: 11 or Luke 20:1 to 21;37 and John 12:2-11)
We have seen how, in the time of Jesus, each year at Passover a lamb without blemish was taken outside the city and then lead in through the East Gate in a triumphal procession with people waving palm branches crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Of course we know that Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God was led in the same fashion on that very same day. The parallel is unmistakable.
After the sacrificial lamb was brought into the city, it was taken to the Temple courtyard where it was examined and put on display for all to see that it was truly without blemish.
In our reading today, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, comes to the Temple court where He teaches the people and is examined by the chief priests, the scribes, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees. As the day progresses, with each encounter, it becomes apparent that Jesus is truly the lamb without blemish while the scribes and priests are the ones who are blemished and stained with sin.
When the chief priests and elders challenge Jesus’ authority (Matthew 21:23-27), He turns the question on them with His own question (a common practice in rabbinic debate). This is not a rebuke to say that if they cannot make up their minds about John, neither will they be able to do so about Jesus. Rather, His question is far more profound. If they correctly answer Jesus’ question they will have an answer to their own question. If they say, “From heaven,” then they are morally bound to believe John, who pointed the way to Jesus. (Matthew 11:7-10; John 1:19, 26-27) They have their answer about Jesus and His authority. If they say, “From men,” they are wrong but they will not say it for fear of the people. Jesus answers the question in a way that the honest seeker of truth will not fail to see who He is. But those seeking to trap Him are trapped by a hurdle of their own making.
Jesus then rebukes the Jewish leaders with three parables. In the first one (Matthew 21:28-32), the parable of the two sons, He says straight out that the scum of society, though they say no to God, they repent, do the Father’s will, and enter the kingdom. But the religious authorities loudly say yes to God, but never do what God says, and therefore fail to enter.
In the parable of the “Tenants” (Matthew 21:33-46), the landowner is God, the vineyard Israel, the tenants the leaders of the nation, the servants the prophets, and the son is Jesus the Messiah.
The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) is vague in its imagery. Generally it is considered that the invitees who refuse are the Jews. Those invited from the highways are the Gentiles. The wedding clothes represent righteousness given by God (through Christ). The “Chosen” refers to the sovereignty of God.
The paying of taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22) involves the Herodians, supporters of the ruling family (strange bedfellows with the Pharisees because they hate each other). It involved paying of the poll tax as a sign of submission to Rome. The trap was to put Jesus in a position where he would either alienate a major portion of the population or else lay himself open to a charge of treason. Jesus’ reply lays down a foundation for His people to relate to the government. This response is later twisted by Jesus’ enemies into a lie to accuse Him before Pilate. (Luke 23:2)
The challenges continue and at the end of the day Jesus has met and answered all His critics. None of the attempts to discredit or trap Him have succeeded. But the end is in sight. The cross is before Him and Jesus knows it full well. He tells the disciples plainly what will happen (Matthew 26:1-2)
As you pray today, consider all that Jesus went through. What must the disciples be thinking at this point? How could anyone take it all in? How could they understand what would happen? Events are moving fast and furious. Time is running out.