There are a lot of dynamics in the story of Jesus that we often do not notice. The beginning of our verses is not a confrontation with the Pharisees – but with the elders and leading priests – people with a lot of power. They are educated and wealthy and powerful and from Judah; the disciples of Jesus are not educated, or wealthy, or powerful, and they are from Galilee. And Jesus is there – criticizing them! Let’s just say there is a healthy dose of tension here!
There is another dynamic, too. Jesus and His followers were young – probably early 30’s and less. Most of the leading priests were in their 60’s or 70’s – and entrenched in politics and power.
Do we get to the point where we can’t hear the voice of God anymore? Do we miss the criticisms we need to hear – have we gone deaf? These stories are so easy to miss – we all just assume we would NOT act like the religious leaders. That is the blindness that they had!
Jesus is talking to you and me now – and He probably has some things to say – in unconditional love – that we don’t want to hear. He will use others – even others we are not like – to communicate that challenge to us. Will we hear Him?
http://biblehub.com/nlt/matthew/21.htm
