1030am Sunday 9-27-2020

When Jesus entered the temple the chief priests and the Elders of the people came to him. As he was teaching and they said by what Authority are you doing these things and who gave you this Authority? Jesus said to them I will also ask you one question. If you tell me the answer then I will also tell you by what Authority I Authority I do these things did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it a human origin? They argued with one another if we say from Heaven, he will say to us why then did you not believe him but if we say of human origin, we are afraid of the crowd for all regard. John is a prophet. So the answer Jesus. We do not know. And Jesus said to them neither will I tell you by what Authority I am doing these things. What do you think a man had two sons. He went to the first instead so I can go and work in the vineyard today. His son answered I will not but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second son. I said the same and he answered I go sir, but he did not go. Which of the two sons?

Did the will of his father and they said the first? Jesus said to them truly. I tell you the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believe him. And even after you saw it is not change your minds and believe him. This is the gospel of the Lord.

I'd like you to play with me.

Change the broken lives be healed In This Moment Christ reveal the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Amen.

Our text today Falls in chapter 21 of Matthew Matthew is 28 chapters. This is the beginning of Jesus's entrance into Jerusalem and kind of fuse gradual March toward the cross. This chapter steals his face. Chapter sealed his fate the very first thing that Jesus does when he comes into Jerusalem as he rides in on a donkey at the beginning of chapter 21. An image of a humble leader of humble ruler other Kings of Israel Jesus in the first to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey a previous Messianic type King also did so and Jesus is coming in to Jerusalem in this Messianic figure way kind of announcing for the first time in his ministry throughout Matthew that yeah. I'm I'm the guy I'm King Jesus is appointing himself. So he's letting everybody know from Pontius Pilate to the poor and the homeless to the end that the King has arrived. And this is the kind of stuff in the Roman world that gets you killed. And Jesus desert to Jerusalem on this donkey Jerusalem at the time was a city of about fifty thousand was its normal occupancy side. This is happening though in the week before Passover and at this time Pilgrims from all around the region RR streaming and flocking to Jerusalem to begin celebrating the Festival of Passover. Let the celebration of God's freeing Israel From Slavery from Egypt and the use of the the unblemished lamb to save them from death. Nmd biblical Scholars biblical nerds the archaeologist the people who know these things and then they're Tire like studying these things. The estimate of the time is that the city of Jerusalem swells during this time from 50000 to about 200,000. It also says that the size of Jerusalem also swells in Roman soldiers Allegiant or two every year during Passover are sent to Jerusalem because Because the city enters into a time of rebellion a time of great combustible. Right. It's a season of Passover where we talked about slavery and the Freedom From Slavery in and here it is Romans who are pressing and enslaving them and it's the very it's right combustible combust combustible mix and and Jesus enters into the city in this Messianic way bringing Freedom. The people crying Hosanna between save us save us from what they've us from the emperor save us from these oppressors. List the all this happened it says that the city enters into a time of turmoil right some of your translations at the beginning of chapter 21 says the city was stirred. It's not a great translation. Like I stir in my sleep, right? It's it's an unconscious thing. I'm just moving around. It's it's not a really good translation of better translation be turmoil. Because now it's it's it's this process of who you going to choose. You've got a decision to make who is King. Are you going to side with the the Pax Romana the Roman peace that comes at the edge of the sword. Are you going to side with Christ with this Jesus who has raised the dead and done all these amazing things and is clearly a prophet coming to reclaim and bring the kingdom of God. And Jesus is First Act after all this like it starts off there at the next thing he does is he enters the temple right before I texted a Jesus enters the temple and he goes to the Portico of Solomon where all this money is being exchanged and extortion is happening. Jesus turns over the tables But you turned the tables of Fife you need to text carefully. He turns over the tables of the of the people selling doves. Because in Leviticus and I know you probably read Leviticus the other day and I know you probably read this text, but the dubs dogs are the sacrifice of the poor. Jesus is turning over the tables of the dove vendors. Signaling the deep deep deep or who come and they they exchanged their money from all these surrounded by all these people coming from all over the world. They got to bring their currency from other nations and other regions exchange it and didn't even say if you go when you exchange currency in a foreign land in a foreign country, there's there's a text on it, right? There's a there's a there's a translation attacks the same things happening in this place in the temple. And in Jesus is turning over the money changers and turning over these tables of where the poor would go and buy their doves.

And Jesus is causing this Ruckus. He's making a claim by the provocation that he's creating that the kingdom of God is going to be a place where the poor will no longer be exploited. The poor will not be put in the kingdom of God.

And then Jesus leave there and he leaves a city goes out to a small town and the next day he comes back and that's where our text picks up. I tell you that because it's important. Because Jesus is not only a prophet. He's also a provocateur. He's using conflict. to draw attention to the Injustice that he sees I don't know if you follow a modern culture. You may not and that's okay. But if you just Google Banksy, it's a he's a political a political satirist the political kind of feeder to a person who uses art painting people would call it graffiti these types of things. He uses art and they make a political point take on political situations or not filling material that you can't help but talk about it. In a couple years ago Banksy wanted to make a point about America's treatment of prisoners of War Guantanamo Bay and so actually what he did he brought a mannequin to Disney. I don't know how he did this because he has a way of doing these things without anybody knowing that we test them and and and Big Thunder Mountain and I don't know if you've ever ridden the ride, but there's a turn at the big wide open space in the tournament and in Banksy took the mannequin and he dressed him in the the orange jumpsuit of the content of Mobay detainees, and he just plopped him right in the middle of Big Thunder Mountain at people like going by this mannequin in an orange jumpsuit Disney freaked out. They shut the park down for 3 hours and get a Manhunt for him. It's crazy. But you know what it did that caught national attention. These are other things like this. It's it's no secret. But if you could check it out. Thanks. He has this way of taking his art. And highlighting and zeroing in on a topic and forcing you to look at it. You can't miss that mannequin the jumpsuit and then therefore by to talk about it. and ask questions moral ethical questions about the heart of what it means to be in this case with this scenario American But in other regions around the world thinks he has made political statements through his art. Nobody knows who this guy is or girl, who knows and so Jesus is list. He's doing this kind of political theater. It's for a purpose. It's not just for show it's it's to draw attention to and create a dialogue and ask questions about why is this the way it is? A Jesus en make me make it clear. I'm not saying Banksy and Jesus are the same thing, but they're their methodologies in terms of getting you to look at it and forcing you to focus are undeniably link, but Jesus is not the only one who does this provocation? He's not the only Prophet the only provocateur and the two more often yoked inexplicably. in in the book of Isaiah Isaiah get this order from the Pod to walk around to walk around Jerusalem naked Nick no shoes no clothes for a year. And calling them to repent it. That's a terrible terrible job, right? But but I think it does this and he's doing it to highlight Israel's in this case. It's the northern kingdom they're their idolatry and they're sending that this this act is going to lead to their destruction that his nakedness is meant to be emblematic of what is going to happen to Israel when Assyria comes in conkers them and that they they will be led away in their nakedness of captivity. And then another Prophet provocateur Ezekiel. He's told by God, you know cut off your hair. And go to the middle of the square throw it up in the air and then take a sword and just cut it up falling down.

Acknowledging and pointing out this this morning. That the Babylonian Empire is coming. And if you do not repent change your ways. You were going to be cut off. From the grace and the the protection of God. Know whether you agree with those sentiments or not you you cannot help but see that the political theater that happens there but the narrative in the conversation, it has to start you can't not see it. When Jesus enters the temple he's doing so to reassert his authority over the temple would think of think of the temple as the White House the Pentagon and the Supreme Court? All kind of wrapped into one right National Cathedral the Pentagon to the White House are all kind of in this one space and it's at the height of the charge time of Passover. Jesus is making a point and he's asserting his authority over the temple and he quotes about the you know, you it is said that my father's house will be a house of prayer is what he says. It's holding Micah. Making it very clear that what this house has become is no longer that. Let the poor are being oppressed people being extorted with this exchange rate of money and currency which is not what it is intended to be. In fact, I office the chief priest at the time of Jesus actually from the records we have it's clear that he was the one who actually moved these these sacrifice Booth where you could buy buy animals in exchange currency. He moved them from the outskirts of the temple to the inner part of the Temple. I can imagine that that was probably some kind of deal that was made. As a way of increasing profit and improving the efficiency of exchange by the money changers and and the Guild of that nature who have their own, you know, people who are lobbying to get their way. Jesus is all this happening. any attacks it and he goes right at it. I need provoke a response. Write this is response is actions provoked a response. And what is the response the 23 win when Jesus entered the temple is coming back to the temple now yesterday. He just made the mess and cause the cause the Ruckus and now he's coming back next day pretty bold move. The chief priests people the very top and the Elders of the people. Came to Jesus as he was teaching and said by what Authority are you doing these things and who gave you the authority to question of authority. What did Jesus do in the temple? He asserted his authority over the temple. overview sample and therefore over Caesar over pilot over the chief priests over everybody who's in charge of the temple says to who's in charge of the world.

At least and the Jewish concept.

And Jesus chocolate and the chief priests and scribes the next day as he enters they confront him. And and this question of authority Jesus gives them a question back as in any good rabbinic tradition a question will always be answered with a question. He said by what Authority did John the Baptist?

Buchheit's human origin or divine Nmd, the elders much appreciate they meet together at the confusion, huddling together if we say this then this will happen.

I make baked WIVK 8. Their answer is not answer. Because they're afraid of lying and then they're afraid of the crowd.

And the answer to Jesus we do not know.

We do not know.

Jesus's part of Jesus power his ministry is the ability to confront issues. without equivocation do a sauce or assert authority over the things that belong to him and to deal with the outcropping on the issues that come because people think what he's planning ownership of actually belongs to them.

And and when Jesus confronts them the will of the people is not on their side. And so they act in fear. And they equivocate big big is a little not answer. Is what happens Jesus is confrontation of them. Jesus has Authority is Undisputed here.

Elite they try to save face so to speak. equivocation equivocation giving a non-answer When leaders equivocate Injustice finds a nest to grow

When leaders equivocate Injustice vines on Nest to grow Jesus does not equivocate. He talks the problem. He addresses the issue. Sometimes it's in the form of a question, but it's designed to get you to find that answer for yourself.

Jesus speaks with truth and power as John puts it full of grace and truth. He does not answer with Nani answers. He does not answer with sidebar conversation. but these leaders do

and I would dare say that leaders in our own Nation do the same. equivocate leaders around the world do this. They equivocates. They see what the right answer is, but if it would mean that they would have to admit wrongdoing they equivocate and when they do that when you and I do that in our homes with our finances personal finances Community finances National finances, When we equivocate with how we treat people at the grocery store and on a national Global level. when we equivocate

and the obvious Kate our responsibility to give truthful and Powerful Answers and owning the consequences. Injustice finds a nest to grow it is already quit vacation. But has led to migrants being caged. It is or equivocation that has led to acts of genocide perpetrated on women in detention forced hysterectomies equivocation create these is sheeps. It is or equivocation that causes people to starve it is the Congress is equivocation. And not wanting to take a position because that position might be used against me but has led to Americans still waiting for any form of relief lines from Miles hours and hours of waiting for people just to get food. Because people don't want to be on the record of having an opinion. We do not know. Well, that's convenient. Is equivocation the causes people to die from lack of healthcare and access to good quality medical support. The issues of Jesus's time on the issue that Jesus confronts and prop provokes is the same issue we have today. different time different place different setting famous shoes equivocation

So what do we do? What is the answer to this? We start with ourselves. we start with you and I and we start by being upfront and truthful in all things. And not equivocating to maintain our power not equivocating or getting an answer to maintain face or a popularity or to keep the status quo. If she has proved one thing it said he's not concerned with the status quo. We as his disciples and reflectors of his grace should also not care about the status quo because most of the time the status quo is killing us.

Our singular focus and Jesus's singular Focus always be the kingdom of God and then so being how do we create a more just world? How do we love our neighbors that are what must I do? To ensure my neighbor has food to ensure. My neighbor feels worthy to ensure that those who are oppressed and the poor the people in the temple who are getting exploited. How do I turn over those tables?

And it's hard.

Because it forces us to choose.

like banksy's art they can cause us to panic go into turmoil.

Jesus enters into Jerusalem and the city goes into turmoil because the choice is being forced. Banksy brings a mannequin to Walt Disney World and this the park goes into turmoil and closes for 3 hours, which if you know anybody Jersey is like millions of dollars.

Who has Authority in your life? Who's in charge?

Are your answers? What they are because you don't want to upset people. or cause problem or cause waves the one in who has Authority calls us to these prophetic Acts.

The walk naked around Jerusalem for a year to cut off our hair and throw it into the sky and cut it up not because that's like some kind of random thing just so you know a movie get her a gift but to have a purpose behind it to draw attention to and to force the question. Who We R Who We R going to be?

By what Authority are you doing these things Jesus?

our answer to this question matters

Let's pray.

Gracious God to give you thanks today for your provocative spirit. That calls us to discomfort. Calls us to confront acts of genocide. Calls us to confront Injustice is in our homes in our communities and our state's nation and world.

Gabby asked you to help us. Did not equivocate. But to stand for the truth and Justice that your kingdom comes to bring and make light.

We pray God that you will give us the courage to do these things. For the sake of our neighbor and casting off our egos and our political ideologies that we would be able to acknowledge fully the power that you bring to us. We pray this God for the sake of our neighbor for the sake of our world in your name. I pray.

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