The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 21-27

So…you’ve been walking closely with Jesus now for three years, learning who He is and alternating between being confused by Him and learning from Him. He’s warned you His death is coming near, but you don’t know you’re approaching His last week on earth (especially since He so frequently talks in parables).

Now you accompany Jesus as He rides into Jerusalem and hear the people, especially the children, cheer (Matt. 21:1-11). What are you expecting? Finally, deliverance from Rome? But Jesus didn’t ask for a horse, so he’s not preparing for battle. You think, excitedly, sometimes kings ride donkeys. You’re a little confused because Jesus doesn’t go to the palace. But when He upsets more than just tables at the Temple (21:12-14), you’re doubly excited. We expect the Messiah to cleanse the Temple; maybe we are heading toward deliverance. 

You watch as Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians plot to trap Jesus into saying something to get Himself arrested or, barring that, just get Him out of favor with the crowds (22:15). You’ve come to expect Jesus to engage with them, so you’re not surprised to see the religious leaders growing increasingly hostile (21:45-46). How smug are you feeling when Jesus scathingly rebukes the leaders in a series of seven “woe to you” condemnations (Ch. 23)? This is great, Jesus; tell ‘em off! 

Soon, though, when all of you (not just Judas) are “indignant” over Mary anointing Jesus with costly perfume, Jesus tells you off (26:8-13)! Those special feelings that enveloped you when Jesus took you aside privately to share His inmost thoughts with you (Ch.24-25)? Where are they now? Where will they be when Jesus will soon announce that one of you will betray Him (26:21) and that “all of you” will abandon Him that very night (26:31)? You didn’t expect that during the Passover meal celebration.

Of course, you have no idea what’s coming for Jesus, for you. Gradually, your expectation of a conquering Messiah is being reshaped, but that Jesus Himself would have to die in order to be your Messiah? You don’t expect that, even when He has spoken of it plainly to you (16:21, 17:22, 20:17-19, 26:2).

But isn’t that what Jesus has been doing for three years - upsetting expectations, disordering the status quo? It’s not just the religious leaders who have it all wrong; even you, His closest friends, sometimes get it all wrong, too. True, you’ve learned so much from Jesus, and you believe He is the Messiah. Truly, though, none of you is prepared to deal with a shocking crucifixion or your own running away in fear. But ... the best upsetting of your expectations is just around the corner. 

Sunday’s coming. 

Heavenly Father, thank You that the Messiah we didn’t expect is everything we ever needed.