- Matthew 12:25
The Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus was evident when Jesus healed a demon-possessed blind and mute man.
They could not attribute the healing to the power of God and were annoyed at the amazement people showed
saying “Could this be the Son of David” (Matt. 12:23). So determined and blinded by their own prejudice and hate, they claimed Jesus was in league with Belzebub (vs. 24). - Matthew 15:11
The Pharisees and the scribes were bent on finding some flaw in Him to condemn Him and relinquish His sway over the people. In Matthew 15, they find fault with His lack of regard for their traditions that require washing hands before eating (verse 2). Jesus replied with this truth about the nature of His kingdom. He said, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Again, Jesus was teaching the greater value of a pure heart revealed in words and actions than clean hands. Unwashed hands is not going to keep anyone from the kingdom of heaven, but impure hearts cannot see God (Matt. 5:8). Jesus used this simple analogy to emphasize the nature of His kingdom. - Parables of Matthew 13; 21:28-46; 22:1-14
Jesus, also, used parables to help find the truth for the honest or conceal the truth from those blinded by prejudice or those unwilling to think hard about the truth. Matthew 13 is a notable chapter of parables about the kingdom. The significance of its placement in the book is that it follows chapter 12 where Jesus faced severe opposition from the Pharisees who accused Him of breaking the Sabbath by healing the man with the withered hand (Matt.12:9-14). In the same chapter, they ask Jesus for a sign to prove He is the Messiah (Matt. 12:38-42).
The parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-9) revealed the different classes of responders to the Word and the results. The parable of the Wheat and Tares explored the end of time or harvest when offenders would be separated from God’s people. Oddly, the Pharisees separated themselves from sinners and accused Jesus of being friends with them. He shows that the parables of Jesus have two functions: to reveal the judgment soon to come and to proclaim the characteristics of the kingdom of God and its mysteries, both of which were imminent. - Parables of Matthew 21 and 23.
Jesus used these parables to answer the accusations about His authority. Jesus had recently made his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, where he would drive out the money changers and heal the blind and lame in the temple. The chief priests and elders were frustrated by the attention given to Jesus. So, they came to Him, asking, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” (Matt. 21:23). While he answers them with a question that would reveal their dishonesty, Jesus uses parables to respond to their accusations. The parables of the Two Sons (Matt. 21:28-32), the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers (Matt. 21:33-46), and the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt. 22: 1-14) warns the Pharisees about their attitudes to Jesus’ invitation and the consequences of rejecting Him.
The Wedding Feast is about a King who gives a feast, but the guests reject the invitation and kill the servant. The King then sends out his servants to call everyone. The story continues with one of the guests who came without a wedding garment and was thrust out into the darkness. The invitation to be with the King was open for all who willingly accept to be clothed with his garments or be thrown out of the wedding feast by the King. Unless the Jews accepted the invitation and made preparation, they would be outside the kingdom of God.
April 28, 2022
Jesus’ Parables and Analogies in Response to Accusations #2
by Tim Glover in Accusations | 0 Comments