Siblings
We noted that the Pharisees were still on the offensive, having sought out the Sadduces to combine forces against Y’shua Jesus. That is a very direct attack, all in the same day. Today’s Holy Nougat offers us insight on the third issue.
Matthew 22:34-36 CEB
[34] When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together.
[35] One of them, a legal expert, tested him.
[36] “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Guard Against Legalism
Having tested His ability to defend theological principles on socio-political economics, interpersonal relationships, and death, Jesus’s detractors had one more point to test him on. They were now quizzing Him on matters of theological law. We also note that all their questions, regardless of how politely they were framed, had one aim. They sought to trap Him.
Self-Check
Have we ever tried to trap someone before? What was our motive?
How do we respond when the same people keep coming at us with the aim of destroying us/our credibility?
Application
On the one hand, it seems preposterous. How did they expect to trap Y’shua using the Laws He would have helped to pass down to Moses? On the other hand, we recognize that their lack of faith in Y’shua’s divine nature would justify their scepticism toward his theological competence as a human. Obviously, they were unable to accept the depth of Y’shua’s theological knowledge or His ability to exegete Scripture to make it relevant to the general populace.
It was as though Jesus was facing ordination exams or defending His PhD thesis! The problem was, as previously stated, they were intent on ridiculing Him, not just testing His mettle.
The question seems innocuous enough: Is there a hierarchy of importance in the commandments. But we recall that this time, Jesus wasn’t being tested by an ordinary member of the sect. He was facing down one of their experts. In our time, this could equate to a professor of systematic theology, dogma, or hermeneutics. We’re also told that this was a (Mosaic) Law expert. It would thus have been someone who would be legalistic-pedantic in their interpretation of the Law.
Any typical answer Jesus gave would have been open to further inquiry. No one is expected to obey only ONE commandment of the Ten. In their context, folks were already expected to observe the over 600 other sundry laws. Giving a single response to the question would have subjected Jesus to further questioning.
In our own lives, we sometimes also have to think before we speak. When we are questioned in public or official spaces – especially by known and/or suspected detractors, frenemies, or opponents – it is incumbent on us to prayerfully and carefully consider our response. It could be a setup.
It can also happen in religious circles. The devil isn’t waiting to trap us in only one setting. There are legalists in the public and private sphere, just as they are present in the secular and religious spaces. We must be prayerful about how we represent Christ in word and deed.
Point to Ponder
As we think before responding to points, questions, and issues placed before us, may we be mindful that it is sometimes a trap. As always, we may go to God in prayer, to gain wisdom and direction on how to respond. Selah
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May all we seek be found in Christ
