Matthew 22 It's All for Jesus

Viewing Matthew chapter 22 through the lens of worship generates some new insights for me. For the moment, I'm somewhat ignoring the context in order to point out the supremacy of Christ in the Gospel. It is in every story, every answer and every Scripture.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a great wedding feast FOR HIS SON. (22:2) I had never dwelt on who the wedding feast was "for" before. Heaven, the kingdom, the church, and my life is for the pleasure of the Son. Of course, using this illustration in a slightly different way, I am the bride as well as a guest, but the wedding is mostly for Him, not for me.

Everyone, both good and bad, was invited to the feast, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came into the banquet, he was looking for those who had the proper clothes. (22:11) This is my responsibility to live a HOLY LIFE. If the feast is for the Son, then my behavior should not be self-serving, as if the party were for me. Being able to stay at the party (for eternity) requires that I honor the Son by my lifestyle of worship.

Should we pay taxes to Caesar or not? When Jesus answers the question, the second half of his sentence is, "But everythingthat belongs to God must be given to God." (22:21) What belongs to God? Everything, ultimately. My acceptable act of worship is to GIVE HIM what is due; my money, my obedience, my respect, my adoration, my will.

The Sadduccees ask Jesus about the resurrection after death. The center of Jesus' answer to them involves the name of God: He says, "I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." (22:32) Since God's name is a verb(!), and that verb is in present tense, that means that God always is. In this context, it also means that dead saints are still alive with Him.

Next comes the question, "What is the most important command?" Without hesitation, Jesus says that the most important thing in life is worship: "You must LOVE THE LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." (22:37) Loving God is the most important thing. Bar none. That may be the center of worship.

Lastly, Jesus asks about the relationship of David to the Messiah. Messiah must be the son of David. And yet Jesus says that under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Jesus believed that the OT was inspired!) he calls his son "my Lord." (22:44) Jesus is both the son of and the Lord of David. JESUS IS GOD!

So, I see a rather complete description of worship in this chapter. Jesus is the center of the church, I honor Him by living a holy life, I must give God what belongs to Him, God and His saints live forever, the most important thing is that I love God, and Jesus is God. Lots of songs come to mind, but songs aren't the center of the Gospel; JESUS IS!

"LORD, in all Your glory, You created me for one purpose, and that purpose is You. Let me exist for You, let me give to You, let me live with You, let me love You, let me know You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God without end. Amen."
-ker