Advent: Week 3: Monday: Year C
1st
Reading: Nm 24: 2-7.15-17: A star from Jacob takes the leadership.
Gospel:
Matthew: 21: 23-27: John’s Baptism: Where did it come from?
The Questioning of the Messiah’s Power/Authority: The Problem
with Obstinate Unbelief
In this passage to the
end of Mt 23, Jesus deals with his opponents, self-righteous religionists and
civil leaders (the elders). There is the great tragedy and problem with
self-righteousness and unbelief. Jesus was forceful in attacking
self-righteousness and unbelief. He strongly said to them such people are
unworthy of God’s kingdom. Obstinate unbelief is doomed. We find the following
points in this passage:
1.
The obstinate unbelief of leaders. What
Jesus was doing simply infuriated them, sending them into a rage. It aroused
them to question: “Who does Jesus of Nazareth think he is?” (Mt 21: 10-11).
2.
Unbelief treats Christ with disdain:
they disturbed the people’s teaching and worship. Jesus was teaching and people
were worshiping a true God.
3.
Unbelief questions the authority of
Jesus Christ. The Sanhedrin (chief priests, elders and Scribes) were the leaders
of the nation and the chief priests were the guardians and rulers of the
temple.
4.
Unbelief must face the personal
interrogation of Christ. Christ has much right to question unbelievers as they
do him. He asked only one question: “Is John’s ministry from heaven or from
men?” He had right to question.
5.
Unbelief causes a three-fold sin and
guilt.
a. A
deliberate denial by people (self-righteous).
b. A
deliberate cowardice by people.
c. A
deliberate ignorance of people.
6.
Unbelief results in Christ’s silence: He
refuses to reveal himself.
Thought: Even
if Jesus Christ openly revealed the truth to them, they would reject it. The
judgement of Christ stands against obstinate unbelief. Unbelief is doomed.
“He said
to him, if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be
convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Lk 16: 31)
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