Text: Matthew 21:14-16
Jesus came to earth and did good, performed miracles, taught the truth, and sacrificed His life on the cross. Even so, there were times when certain people were displeased with Him. The gospels record a few occasions in which people were indignant with Jesus over what He permitted and/or what He was doing. Why were these people so upset with Jesus? And could we be guilty of the same attitude today?
Those Who Were Displeased with Jesus
- The chief priests and scribes (Matthew 21:14-16) – they were INDIGNANT that Jesus was receiving praise in response to His healing; they were upset because Jesus was receiving the honor they desired for themselves
- The disciples (Matthew 26:6-13) – they were INDIGNANT over the apparent waste by a woman who anointed Jesus with an expensive perfume; they were upset because they believed they had a “better” plan for this resource
- The synagogue official (Luke 13:10-17) – he was INDIGNANT that Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath; he was upset because Jesus did not hold to human traditions as being equal with God’s law, so he defended them
How We Can Be Guilty of This Attitude
- Like the chief priests, if we want followers for ourselves, we will be upset when they follow Jesus first – must guard against the desire for preeminence or to have our own disciples (3 John 9; Acts 20:30); we need Paul’s attitude in pointing people to Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:5)
- Like the disciples, if we want to follow our plan, we will be upset over “restrictions” and “limitations” in the New Testament – must not take liberties that seem right to us, but respect God’s authority and the limits of His word (Colossians 3:17); the kingdom is open to those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21-23)
- Like the synagogue official, if we want to bind our opinions upon others, we will be upset when it is pointed out that our opinions are not equal to God’s revealed will – must be careful not to be “teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:9); simply follow the word of God (Galatians 1:6-9) and encourage others to do the same
Conclusion
- We are to avoid elevating ourselves, our plans, and our opinions
- Instead, we need to elevate Christ, His ways, and His word
- This requires humility – if we are willing to submit to Christ, we can be pleasing to Him; if we are NOT willing to submit to Christ, then He is not going to be pleasing to us
