Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus asked the chief priests and the elders of Jerusalem, “Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.” In chapter twenty-one and verse forty-six of his book, Matthew shares how the chief priests and elders, “sought to lay hands on him” where we read:
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude,
because they took him for a prophet.
The verse reads, “But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, ...” Matthew began with the words, “but when” which means “moreover and at the time and moment” “they sought” or “the chief priests and elders in Jerusalem desired and craved” “to lay hands on” which means “to take possession, become master of and seize” “him” which refers to “Jesus”, “they feared” which means “the chief priests and elders were afraid of, terrified and were alarmed by” “the multitude” or “the crowd of people who were in Jerusalem”. Matthew shared how the “religious leaders” in Jerusalem wanted to “seize and capture” Jesus but were inhibited by their “fear” of the crowds surrounding Him.
The verse continues, “... because they took him for a prophet.” Matthew added the word, “because” which means “since and on account that” “they took him” which means “the multitude held, kept, considered and regarded Jesus” “for a prophet” or “as one who was moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman who solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”. Matthew wrote how the “multitude” believed Jesus was a “prophet of God”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how offended the “chief priests and elders” were by Jesus. They were so angered and moved by Jesus' stories, they desired to “capture Him” and put Him into prison. The “multitude” prevented them because they believed Jesus was a “prophet”, and even though Jesus indited them for their poor handling of God's Kingdom, the “religious leaders” were afraid to arrest Him. God wants every person to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and those who are wise will understand He is the Messiah sent from God. His purpose is to “save” people from their “sins”, and no one should obstruct people coming to Jesus like these “religious leaders” in Jerusalem.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Jesus begin a new parable, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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