OUR GREATEST NEED
Noelle McDermott
Today's Scripture: “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant,” Matthew 21:14-15, ESV
Theme: The legacy of Jesus is an offense to the self-righteous and a beautiful reprieve to those who recognize their need for a Savior.
ISN’T IT OBVIOUS?
Throughout the years of hearing the Easter story and talking about Jesus’ ministry, one thing always confused me. Why did the religious leaders conspire against Jesus—especially religious leaders? He fulfilled all the prophecies, did numerous miracles, and clearly told them that He was the Son of God. Despite all this, the Pharisees and other religious leaders wanted to trip up Jesus. I always thought, “Isn’t it kind of obvious that Jesus is the “good guy” in this situation?” However, I started to realize how easy it is to fall into a “Pharisee mentality.” This realization showed me how much I truly do need Jesus.
THE PHARISEES’ PERSPECTIVE
The Pharisees were not merely a group who disliked Jesus and had an interesting name. They, along with the upper-class Sadducees, interpreted the Law and strove to enforce the Jewish people’s adherence to the Law. The religious leaders’ unwavering devotion to their laws became an idol. They often clashed with Jesus because He reinterpreted the rules. Now, this is not to say that obeying God’s commandments is wrong; rather, the Pharisees’ error was prioritizing a checklist of rules and missing the heart of “God with them,” Jesus. The Pharisees relied on works, rules, and sacrifices to secure their salvation; Jesus satisfied God’s requirements, becoming our salvation. Self-righteousness, whether manifested in the Pharisees or in us, prevents us from seeing our need for a Savior.
OUR GOOD NEWS
The Pharisees may have felt as though others were “unworthy” of God’s favor. When we get caught up in maintaining a “perfect Christian life,” we can fall into this same mentality. If we think that our good works guarantee our standing with God, we can begin thinking that others haven’t done enough and don’t merit the Lord’s favor. Yet, all human striving falls short when compared to the redemptive work of Jesus. When we truly recognize how little our works are worth, we recognize how great Jesus’ sacrifice was. God knew we could never reach heaven on our own, and He chose to make the way for us. Like the children crying out “Hosanna” in the temple, we should praise Jesus as Savior, God, and King.
Make It Personal: Have you ever taken for granted your salvation or forgotten the great divide that once existed between you and God? It can be easy to forget in the busyness of life, but in your quiet time today, take time to reflect and thank God for sending His Son to redeem us, and pay the price we could never repay.
Pray: God, sometimes I think that my own striving is enough. I easily forget how much I need Jesus. I needed Jesus when I was trapped in my sin. I need Jesus now, as I go through my day. And I will always need Him for the rest of my life. Thank You, God, for always meeting me where I am and providing for my every need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Matthew 21:1-17; Ephesians 2:4-9
Weekly Memory Verse:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9, ESV