Jesus Ignites A Fire
JESUS IGNITES A FIRE
Tonight, Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m., join your Calvary Chapel family for coffee at 6:00 p.m., followed by the service at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Ground Café or online via our website (www.calvaryinv.com
), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness). We will continue our journey through the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew (22:1-46).
The previous chapter concluded with Jesus illustrating Israel’s opposition, especially that of the Pharisees, through two parables. The chief priests and Pharisees attempted to seize and arrest Him because they realized He was speaking about them. At the last moment, they decided not to because the crowd of witnesses believed He was a prophet.
The conflict intensified when Jesus told a third parable about a wedding invitation. In His time, a wedding invitation included a garment for the invitee. This garment helped identify those who had accepted the invitation and those who tried to sneak in without one. It made it difficult for them to hide, and once caught, they could be quickly removed.
Everyone saw that Jesus was criticizing the religious leaders for relying on themselves, looking down on those they deemed unworthy, and refusing to believe that He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s Messiah.
Afterward, the religiously astute Pharisees, the politically focused Herodians, and the materialistic Sadducees each took turns trying to trip up Jesus and get Him to say or do something that would weaken His hold on the hearts and minds of the multitude.
Each group understood that Jesus was more than a charismatic personality with incredible oratory skills. Deep down, they were deeply afraid, even as they continually lied to themselves, because they knew that Jesus of Nazareth was more than a man and not of this earth. So He had to be destroyed before they lost their positions of power and influence.
Jesus knew His adversaries’ blackened hearts. He understood what they were trying to do to Him. Yet He never sought revenge or retribution. He knew what had to be done and why. His love for His enemies far outweighed the unbridled hatred they held for Him.
Therefore, He did not attack them directly. Instead, He aimed to expose their hypocritical hearts so they might abandon their self-reliance, which prevented them from entering the kingdom of God. He prompted their thinking by asking which commandment they considered the greatest, and, to make it more challenging, He asked them to explain how David, revered by all Israel as a hero, could call Him both his Son and his Lord.
They were confused and unsure how to react. Their attempts to discredit Him failed completely. Without frustration or effort, He skillfully reversed the situation, making them appear foolish. They hurriedly left the Temple and Jesus behind, determined not to be caught in His trap again.
Jesus had ignited a fire, a blaze that would purify all who came to Him by faith, believing He alone was the way to Heaven. But those who reject Him will be consumed by His Father's holy, righteous, and just wrath.
That flame continues to burn brightly today, revealing men’s hearts. Some will humbly submit to Him, asking for forgiveness, while others stubbornly walk away, mocking the idea of giving an account to an unseen God for their actions, and unknowingly falling into Satan’s trap.
I’m excited to continue this journey with you through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, trusting that none of us will remain unchanged as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Tonight, Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m., join your Calvary Chapel family for coffee at 6:00 p.m., followed by the service at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Ground Café or online via our website (www.calvaryinv.com
The previous chapter concluded with Jesus illustrating Israel’s opposition, especially that of the Pharisees, through two parables. The chief priests and Pharisees attempted to seize and arrest Him because they realized He was speaking about them. At the last moment, they decided not to because the crowd of witnesses believed He was a prophet.
The conflict intensified when Jesus told a third parable about a wedding invitation. In His time, a wedding invitation included a garment for the invitee. This garment helped identify those who had accepted the invitation and those who tried to sneak in without one. It made it difficult for them to hide, and once caught, they could be quickly removed.
Everyone saw that Jesus was criticizing the religious leaders for relying on themselves, looking down on those they deemed unworthy, and refusing to believe that He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s Messiah.
Afterward, the religiously astute Pharisees, the politically focused Herodians, and the materialistic Sadducees each took turns trying to trip up Jesus and get Him to say or do something that would weaken His hold on the hearts and minds of the multitude.
Each group understood that Jesus was more than a charismatic personality with incredible oratory skills. Deep down, they were deeply afraid, even as they continually lied to themselves, because they knew that Jesus of Nazareth was more than a man and not of this earth. So He had to be destroyed before they lost their positions of power and influence.
Jesus knew His adversaries’ blackened hearts. He understood what they were trying to do to Him. Yet He never sought revenge or retribution. He knew what had to be done and why. His love for His enemies far outweighed the unbridled hatred they held for Him.
Therefore, He did not attack them directly. Instead, He aimed to expose their hypocritical hearts so they might abandon their self-reliance, which prevented them from entering the kingdom of God. He prompted their thinking by asking which commandment they considered the greatest, and, to make it more challenging, He asked them to explain how David, revered by all Israel as a hero, could call Him both his Son and his Lord.
They were confused and unsure how to react. Their attempts to discredit Him failed completely. Without frustration or effort, He skillfully reversed the situation, making them appear foolish. They hurriedly left the Temple and Jesus behind, determined not to be caught in His trap again.
Jesus had ignited a fire, a blaze that would purify all who came to Him by faith, believing He alone was the way to Heaven. But those who reject Him will be consumed by His Father's holy, righteous, and just wrath.
That flame continues to burn brightly today, revealing men’s hearts. Some will humbly submit to Him, asking for forgiveness, while others stubbornly walk away, mocking the idea of giving an account to an unseen God for their actions, and unknowingly falling into Satan’s trap.
I’m excited to continue this journey with you through the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, trusting that none of us will remain unchanged as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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