Reading: Matthew 22:41-46

Matthew 22:42 – “What do you think about the Messiah?”

After answering the Pharisees’ question about the greatest commandment, Jesus asks them a question. It is interesting to note the phrase “surrounded by the Pharisees.” Matthew implies that every single Pharisee is there that day. In your mind’s eye, can you picture Jesus standing there, surrounded by a large group of men in religious robes? And a second question: in the picture you created in your mind, what did Jesus look like?

Jesus asks the Pharisees, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They know the answer given in the scriptures. The Messiah will come from the line of David, their greatest king. They know that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. They know… And they know that this man standing in their midst cannot be the Messiah. The Romans are still there. Israel hasn’t been restored to greatness and glory.

Correcting them, Jesus quotes from Psalm 110, verse 1. The Messiah, the one David called “my Lord,” will be greater than David. But Jesus, what could be greater than restoring Israel to greatness and power? That is the Messiah that the Pharisees have in their mind’s eye as they image a time in the near future. Do you think they saw a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jesus standing triumphantly? This image is likely what most of us saw in our mind’s eye as we pictured Jesus amongst the Pharisees.

Returning to Jesus’ question, “What do you think about the Messiah?,” how would we answer this question? The temptation is to shape Jesus into something or someone that meets our needs, our wants, and our expectations. This Jesus really loves us. But yesterday we were reminded that the call is to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors more than ourselves. This is the Messiah that laid down his life in humble obedience, loving us enough to suffer and die for us. This is the model and example that we are to follow. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, our images of Jesus tend to make him into our image. Remind us that the reverse is true: we are made in your image and therefore in his image. Guide us to live with the correct order. Lead us to hold Jesus as the Lord of our lives. Amen.