Even after you saw this, you did not repent [Matt 21b]

Even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him

Matt 21:23-32*

Key Verse Matthew 21:32

Introduction

Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king, the promised Son of David. He changed his ministry from a reclusive service to an open declaration of his kingship. The crowd who followed Jesus accepted that he was the Son of David, the coming king and Messiah, and welcomed him as he entered into the city of God, Jerusalem.

Jesus’ first line of business as king was to straighten and take charge of his Father's house as the Son. It was an act of correction. In this, his clear purpose was to bring back honor to his Father, no matter what it took, even if it took his own life.

After all, this was characterized by his authority as the Son of God and a King. This was demonstrated in the form of judgment and of the rectification of peoples’ sins. He came to change, to correct, and to judge, for the purpose of upholding God's name and goodness. This is seen in two actions: his overturning of the tables of the money exchangers in the temple, and his deliverance [not declaration] of judgment on the fig tree. However, these acts were not performed to uphold his power and glory over the ungodly; rather, Jesus exercised his authority to enable others to conform to God’s truth, i.e. in order to uphold God and His honor, not to honor himself! For the religious leaders, this was a clear challenge to their authority and power. Up until now they had felt such power indirectly, as the minds of the people were drawn to Jesus, instead of to them; but at this time, Jesus openly and directly challenged their authority and power.

Today's passage talks about how the people in authority responded to the challenge Jesus made against them. Once there came a conflict between Jesus’ will to take over God’s house and the religious leaders who were not willing to relinquish their control over God’s people. Also, these actions of Jesus’ were the beginning of his revealing of his kingly authority.

During this conflict, the religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority - where it came from or who gave him such authority. This continual clash ultimately ended when Jesus died on the cross and resurrected from the dead. In his resurrection, Jesus defeated all authorities and was fully honored as the Supreme Authority of heaven and earth.

Today’s passage must be understood in this context.

We ourselves have a hard time relinquishing our authority over our lives, but eventually, we will all have to give an answer to Jesus’ authority, either yes or no. So we must ask ourselves, ‘Who is the ultimate authority over my life? Is it me or God?’ If it is I then, how can I relinquish my control? The chief priest and the elders are the best example of ordinary human beings who held tightly to their perceived authority over their own lives, as all of us were in the past. Through today’s passage, may God teach us how to honor Jesus as our King and participate in His kingdom.

A.   By what authority are you doing this [Matthew 21:23-27]?

“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"” (Matthew 21:23).

So far, what had happened in the temple?

a.    Jesus had driven out all those who were buying and selling in the temple by overturning the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He spoke of God’s house of prayer becoming a den of robbers, speaking of the lack of obedience to God’s ethical and moral truth

b.    Jesus was healing the blind and the lame by God’s power

c.    Children were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David”, causing the religious leaders indignant. Jesus quoted God’s promise to them - “‘From the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise’” (Matthew 21:16b; ref. Psalm 8:2).

These three things testified that Jesus is the Son of David. The chief priests and the elders were the leaders of Israel, and held the entire nation’s power. They were the religious and political authorities; no one  had authority over them. Whatever they said or decided to do became the law of the nation. These leaders came out and asked Jesus: By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority? Their reaction was a clear contrast to those who shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David”. So before we can get into the question of Jesus’ authority, I would like to explore the minds of those who honored his authority:

1.    Jesus did not explicitly declare his kingship or instigate his followers to honor him as a king; it was the people who spontaneously acknowledged him as the Coming King and Jesus accepted their praise. Jesus’ healing, the children's praise, and his reference to the Psalms of the Old Testament all indicate that he is the Son of David, the Coming King. This became obvious to those who honestly looked at what had occurred and believed and accepted these events in their hearts. Jesus did not simply demand people to honor him; rather, out of their deep reverence and awe t God’s power, they willingly honored him as the Son of David and Savior.

2.    Through these people and through the work Jesus did, there was overwhelming evidence for his kingship, but the leaders refused to accept that Jesus was the Son of David, the promised king. This is evident in that they became indignant as the children praised Jesus as the Son of David. These men denied that Jesus’ power was God’s power and they lacked a willing heart to accept him as the Son of God. This was a clear contrast from the people who praised the coming of the Son of David.

Then why did the religious leaders fail to recognize and accept God’s power in Jesus? What went wrong with them that they refused to acknowledge the power of the Son of God?

Since these people demanded an explanation for Jesus’ unqualified activity in the temple, it seems that Jesus had to do more to prove his authority to them, but that was not the case. It was they who failed to acknowledge his authority as the Son of God.

Then why could they not or would they not acknowledge him? In order to excavate their inmost thoughts, Jesus asked a probing counter-question.

“Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"” (Matthew 21:24-25).

Jesus would answer them if they could answer one question. Where did John's baptism come from? Was it from heaven or from men? I would like to explore this by asking two more questions: Who was John and what did he do?

First, who is John? Actually, long before John came, God had promised that He would send him. This is seen in the prophecy found in Malachi 3:1 -

“"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty”” (Malachi 3:1).

First, according to this passage, John, God’s messenger, must come and prepare the people before Jesus came. So, John had to come first, and then Jesus. That is exactly what happened and it is seen in John’s baptism of Jesus.

Second, John and Jesus are connected, because John had to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, Jesus. In this way, John and Jesus are connected chronologically and theologically.

John’s role was so important for God’s work in the coming Christ. What was the essence of this work? John said it very succinctly in Matthew 3:11 -

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Through this passage, we can see two things: 1) John preached the baptism of repentance, in lieu of the coming king, and 2) he introduced Jesus to those who came to be baptized.

What can we say about this? First, the source of John's power was the same as the source of Jesus’ power and authority. It was God Himself who orchestrated all of these events. Second, God felt that repentance was a vital part of calling people to belief in the coming King.

How did John carry out his role? He said this to the Pharisees and Sadducees:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:7-10).

The significance of his message is evident when we see the people’s response:  

“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River” (Matthew 3:5-6).

So John's presence and mission were recognized by the whole nation in two ways: 1) as a great prophet from God, and as a preacher of repentance.

The most powerful part of his message was not in his preaching, but in his death. John rebuked Herod for his adultery with his brother’s wife. He demanded repentance, but instead of repentance, Herod beheaded him. In this way, John paid with his life for the call to repentance.  

So, if we were to put this into simple terms: John‘s repentance message from God was followed by Jesus‘s kingdom message from God, in sequence of time and logic. If there was no repentance, then there could be no wisdom or knowledge of the kingdom of God! So at the opening of his messianic work, Jesus said “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17).

How did the chief priests and the elders take John's message of repentance? We can find in their answer in Scripture:

“They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'--we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things”” (Matthew 21:26-27).

a.    They discussed this question among themselves; their answer did not come from their heart or from any conviction or belief, but from a discussion with a clear purpose or goal. Their discussion was politically motivated, in the sense that they forged a common goal. It is not conducted between oneself and God, but among the group who shared a common goal and collective purpose. Simply, John’s message of repentance was never taken seriously by these people.

b.    There were two possible answers to Jesus’ question: that John’s ministry was either from God or from men. If the religious leaders accepted that John's authority came from God, then they would have no choice but to accept that Jesus' authority was also from God. This was not what they wanted. However, if they denied that John’s baptism was of God, then the large crowd would be upset and discredit them.

c.    They discussed their two choices, and made a decision in order to escape both undesirable outcomes. They considered which one was the only answer that would support their purpose, but was there any?

They could not concur with any of these two options. The reason for this was simple: they had a determined goal, a goal of their own, not founded in God or His will. Their agenda had no concern for truth or God; it was concerned with only three things:  their power, their authority, their carnal desires, and to uphold their power and authority. There was no truth involved at all, only human motive and purpose. To achieve that purpose, they were willing to concoct any answers among themselves.

What was their final answer? ‘We don't know’. In this answer, they evaded all truth. It seems as if they had escaped from all the traps that they wanted to get away from. Humanly speaking, this was very ingenious and clever.

This is a common escape route for many who deliberately try to avoid God's truth and judgment. Can they truly hide from God’s eyes? Can anyone escape from the truth by cunning and clever words? No! What did Jesus say about these people?

““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish,but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence; “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness”” (Matthew 23:25-28).

How can we characterize such 'uncommitted' men? Such people use non-committal answers to escape facing the truth. In their mind, one thing stands above anything else:  ‘Me’ or ‘I’. Out of this view, come my truth, my right, my pride, and my righteousness! My wellbeing! If there is anything that might compromise any of these, then I will avoid those, at all cost.  

Also, through their answer, it is obvious that the religious leaders did not believe John was from God and did not repent of their ways! When one does not repent of his or her sinful ways, how can they make any sense out of God’s messages? Let’s look at Jesus’ answer:

“Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things”” (Matthew 21:27b).

Jesus did not feel that they were worthy to hear the truth. Why? Their hearts were still unrepentant and calloused. They were not willing to accept any truth from God. How different they are from those who shouted Hosanna!

As we discussed early, Jesus did not tell or ask the people to honor him as the Son of David, or the coming Messiah. They all came to believe that he was the King, through what he did. It was out of their conviction and belief that all of the people came to shout: “the Son of David, Hosanna in the highest”. True respect and honor exuded from their inmost hearts; they had no political motives or purposes. We can discuss and argue about what Jesus did - his miracles, his teachings, and his life - but knowledge and discussion is not what leads us to the conviction that Jesus is the King. It is belief and faith in God Almighty, who is working through Jesus’ life.

Instead of possessing such faith and conviction, what the religious leaders had was their own goals and preset purposes. If there was anything in their way, they would deny, reject, or even destroy it.

How did they come this far? Along the lines of this question, a few more questions are raised: Did they have chances to make their error right? What was that chance? How could they make the right turn? If they failed to correct their beliefs, what might be at stake? Jesus answers these questions through a parable.

B.   Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God [Matthew 21:28-32].

“"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go”” (Matthew 21:28-30).

This story was about a man and his sons. The relationship between a father and a son is unambiguously one of authority and obedience to that authority. The father had total control over his sons and had told them to work in his vineyard. The first son didn't like this and said no to his father, but later he repented and went to the vineyard. However, the second son said yes to his father, but later changed his mind and did not go.

The question was in what the father wanted from his sons. He wanted them to obey and work in his vineyard. .

Both sons had a moment of rejection towards their father's command. The first one said no. The second one said yes, but never accepted his father’s command seriously  and did not go.

Both sons had elements of rebellion against their father. Actually, all human beings have elements of rebellion. Once, we all wanted to do things our own way, no matter what or who is telling us differently. But the other made the right choice and was accepted by his father; the other son persisted in his own rebellion. What was the right choice?

"…but later he changed his mind and went” (Matthew 21:29).

The first son changed his mind. In the past, everything had to work for him and he needed to be the boss, having control over his own life. But he came to realize that the way he was going was wrong and rebellious, so he simply turned around and went to his father’s vineyard.

This turning is repentance. He was going his own way, but he came to his senses and realized that his way was not the right way, though it looked so rosy. He also realized that his father’s vineyard was far better than his way of business. So he simply turned! He never looked back the way he had been going. This is repentance!

Who are the ones that repented and changed their ways to pursue  the kingdom of God?

“...Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” Matthew 21:31b).

Tax collectors were considered enemies of God because they had abandoned His ways and accepted the ways of the ungodly Roman pagans. Prostitutes were also thought of as among the worst of sinners, since they sold their bodies to the ungodly.

These were two of the worst offenders of God. They were heading toward destruction, but many were making the right choice to change the direction of their lives, repent, and head towards the kingdom of God instead.  

I know one student who grew up in church, but, as he became a teenager, he got involved with those who smoked pot and dealt drugs. His life was constantly up and down,  filled with suspense, anxiety, and fear. But he did not know what to do. Truly he was at the door of death and hell. One day, his friend got shot dead. He himself barely escaped death. What did he do next? He changed his mind and changed his way toward God. He never looked back; he cut off his old life, as if he had cut off a worn–out, ragged sleeve with some scissors. He resolved to look toward God only.  

Can you imagine these egregious sinners marching toward the kingdom of God? This was happening then, and is actually happening even now!

Who did the second son represent? He symbolized the chief priests and elders, who were headed toward destruction. Why?

“For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him” (Matthew 21:32).

Can you imagine why the high priests and lofty, godly Pharisees were headed toward destruction?

The reason is clear! God had provided many chances to repent; John’s ministry,  Jesus’ rebuke in the temple,  and the tax collectors and prostitutes among the crowds shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David”, were all unmistakable signs of God’s work. Even after seeing these remarkable works of the Messiah, they did not repent!

Since they did not repent, they could not believe either. When one does not repent, he or she remains blind to God’s truth. They cannot understand or see the Coming King.

But repentance opens the eyes of sinners to the truth of God so that we may see Jesus, the Son of the Living God, the Savior!

When we repent, we can believe, taste, and enjoy the truth,, and see the kingdom of God.

When we do not repent we remain uncommitted, saying we don’t know! Repentance is committing my life to Jesus, the King, and heading toward the kingdom of God.

May God richly bless you!