The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
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ORD, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect is a fitting preface to the Gospel text for this Sunday of Trinity. The text on Matthew 22:34-46 is the final phase of a three-point attack on our Lord’s ministry by the Pharisees. As the Collect reads, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world (Herodians), the flesh (the Sadduccees, the flesh), and the devil (the Pharisees). The lines of a great battlefield are three dimensional. The enemy attempts to penetrate the opposing line, to outflank maneuver his flanks, and to overwhelm his fortifications by many combinations of fire and maneuver. We have two more of these attacks on our Lord in the previous verses to our text.
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UT when the Pharisees had heard that Jesus had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Matt 22:34-46)
Today’s Collect Prayer has striking relevance in addressing the tepid and passionless spiritualism being taught in above 90% of America's churches today. The preaching from America's pulpits fill the ears of the worshippers with the false notion that God's Law is no longer in force for the believer - that the Law of God was done away on the cross at Calvary. This antinomian nonsense could not be further from the truth! It was the PENALTY of the Law that was nailed to the cross for those who believe in truth and spirit. Does that mean that we, as children of the King, may freely go about disobeying the rules of our Father's House. If you do not love the Law of God, you have no part with Him. The only reason that GRACE is so vital to our interests is because the LAW does remain. Grace is absolution for violating God's LAW. We can only have hearts that are pure by honoring God with our best efforts at obedience and, knowing that when we fail, we have an Advocate with the Father - our Lord Jesus Christ! Grace, as the Collect tells us rightly, also emboldens us to obey the Lord our God. Parents who are too strict at enforcing their laws upon the children, without mercy, often raise rebellious children.
This encounter is the third by the Jewish interest in an attempt to damage the person and reputation of our Lord. The first came by way of the Pharisees which tempted Christ to offend Caesar. The second was by way of the Sadducees which attempt to trip Him up on question of eternity and marriage. The Sadducees did not believe in an afterlife. This last attempt is from a Scribe (lawyer) who seeks to expose our Lord as one unlearned of the Law of God. All three attempts were dealt with in such a way as to reveal the incompetence of the tempters. Strangely, the Pharisees and Sadducees were at enmity with one another, but even these two enemies will condescend to unite in a common cause against the Lord.
The political intrigues and corrupt social mores of our day are perfectly reflected in those of the time of Jesus. It is without doubt that the Scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders of the day) knew precisely that Jesus was the promised Messiah; but they will lie, cheat or steal in order to prevent recognition of that fact by the people. They feared, like the mainline denominations of our day, any challenge to their own authority and source of wealth which will provoke denial of Scriptural truth and disobedience to the Word of God. How commonly obvious is this truth reflected in the emphasis of building programs over personal stewardship, high salaried ministers over a regard for the needs of many whose meager tithes supply that salary, or the choice to compromise on biblical marriage for prestige, and abortion as a means of covering the sexual promiscuity of their members.
In order to full grasp today’s text, let us examine the preceding nineteen verses of this same chapter.
The Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees were archenemies. Yet, these allied themselves together against the Lord whom they beheld as a far greater threat to themselves than each other. The Herodians were the legal arm of Israel under the lascivious King Herod. We see traits of Herod in our National Congress today. They have tax-funded resources to pay hush money to women whom they have sexually offended. His rule was ungodly and oppressive; yet, the Pharisees sought his supporters out to try and trap the Lord in His words:
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HEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, yehypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.” (Matt 22:15-22)
The Herodians
The conniving Pharisees sent their ‘disciples’ the Herodians to confront Christ regarding MONEY. One of the major issues with false religionist is MONEY. “they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians.” Being very schooled in the art of tom-foolery, they felt themselves mentally and socially superior to this poor Carpenter preacher who was obviously unlettered and unlearned in their thinking. So they will attempt to draw a legal sanction against Christ much as Christians today are being legally attacked for refusing to compromise their consciences. Caesar was a powerful symbol to all of Israel. Their land was under the oppressive heel of Rome; and Herod was Rome’s willing vicegerent. So maybe they can bring Christ into conflict with Rome – that would settle their dilemma. They asked: “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” This is a two-way trap. If Jesus answers ‘no,’ He will be branded as subversive to Rome’s taxing authority. If He answers ‘yes,’ He will enrage those of the multitude who despise Roman rule in their land. “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?” (Matt 22:18-20)
Our Lord always sees the wickedness of a darkened heart – nothing is hidden from His view. He knew these were hypocrites speaking flattering words. The Lord asked a profound question: “Whose is this image and superscription?” What is the currency of Rome? It is those coins struck with the image of Caesar. What is the currency of the Kingdom of God? It is those hearts struck and minted with the image of our Lord Jesus Christ!
His very words were a muzzle to the mouths of hypocrites: “They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.” (Matt 22:21-22)
Just as Rome doubtless had her counterfeit coinage, so does the church of today – perhaps the counterfeits (hypocrites) far outnumber the legal tender. But here Jesus vanquishes the legalizers who today still attempt to bind the voice of Christians with frivolous and costly lawsuits.
The Sadduccees
THE same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matt 22:23-33)
See how organized are the wicked against the Righteous One. The three groups are working together as a hand in the glove. They do the same today in our Congressional hearings.
“The same day” came the Sadduccees – one after another in their organized attempt to overthrow righteousness. The Pharisees belive in the resurrection, yet think themselves the only one’s with a personal invitation. The Sadduccees reject the resurrection. And the Herodians reject BOTH; but they are untied for this moment. To make a short answer to a longer story, let us simply see that these culprits bring an unbiblical definition of marriage before Christ. These are the fleshly so-called believers we see today who would destroy God’s perfect institution of marriage between one man and one woman. They did not even believe in the resurrection, so they asked the last question mocking that belief. But Jesus, having perfect knowledge, knew of their craftiness and was ready to give an answer.
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Can you fathom the ocean of comfort in these last words to those who have lost loved ones in Christ. They are not DEAD! They are not Past Tense! They are alive in Christ today.
The Pharisees
Finally, it is the Pharisees turn. They have cowardly sent others before to set their trap, but this having failed, they now ‘gather together’ as do most violet mobs and go to Him personally.
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UT when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22)
Many Bible scholars of our day promote these two Commandments as new commandments instituted by Christ, but they are not. Christ is simply quoting the Old Testament Commandments of Moses’ day:
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ND thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deut 10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, Deut 13: 1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. (Deut 6:5)
Silences the Pharisees about the Messiah
Christ was always the master of every crisis and every challenge:
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HEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. (Matthew 22:15)
This is one reason they (the Jewish rulers) literally hated Christ. He interfered with their money greed …… selling in the Temple…house of prayer, but a place of thieves.
Now Jesus will also present them with a dilemma they should already have known being Masters of the Pentateuch: 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110:1)
David also said: Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12)
Now these snails crawled away to plan how further they might have Him put to death.
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ET them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. 8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. 9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath. 10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. (Psalm 58)
Snails love darkness. They hate Light. They also hate salt.
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E are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5)
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ND no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Please consider the relentless attacks on morality in our country today. Are they not similar to the same that these profligate fools waged against our Lord?
A common enemy always unites various sects and interests together against it. Jesus was a common enemy to the superstitions and power struggles of the Times, just as He is a common enemy of the political and economic structures of our time.
Though politics and financial interests are not found in the same common bed in normal circumstances, they both ally themselves against the True Gospel of Christ.
Text books promote evolution. News outlets say we must respect the religious faith of Moslems, Buddhist, and Hindus, yet, with one voice, they press for condemnation of Christian Faith in our society.
Those who accept the biblical authority that condemns adultery, homosexuality, drunkenness, are considered smug and made to look ridiculous in movies and news specials.
Nothing has changed in the world’s contempt for Christ since He first ministered as a boy in the Temple at Jerusalem.
Have we, as a Christian nation, changed since the time we learned of Christ as young boys and girls; or as adults who were then able to recognize our depravity and hear the whispering voice of the Holy Ghost?
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