PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 22:41-46
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“No one could say a word… no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Matthew 22:46)
Have you ever talked with someone who strongly rejected God, Jesus, or faith?
Their arsenal of arguments was ready to attack, to expose it all as hogwash.
‘What about this or that’, hoping to beat us with their tough questions.
And I admit it, I do not have answers to many of their questions.
I’ve decided its best not to argue or try to win a debate with them.
Honestly, they’re not really looking for answers, they’ve already decided.
And who am I to judge, I have my own ideas that I’m convinced are right too.
This story challenges us to take our debates and challenges to Jesus.
One day we all will stand before him and debate him… and will all be silenced.
Even the greatest and the best among us will all be humbled.
“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
Our best response is to start being humble now, to admit we don’t know it all after all.
When we claim to be wise, we actually reveal how foolish we are (Romans 1:22).
PRAYER
Lord, sometimes we’re so smart, we have it all figured out. How little we actually know. How fragile our systems and theologies are. Like David, we will all one day admit you are Lord… not us!
Who is the messiah? Who is Jesus? The Pharisees – teachers of the scriptures – would not acknowledge that the sonship of the messiahs – that he was a son of God. It is important for anyone to answer the question – who is Jesus? Seeing him as an historical figure is empty – devoid of the authority of the son of God who took the penalty of death for sin to the cross and died for us. And because he is son of God death could not hold him – he conquered death for me who believes in him. That’s who Jesus is – He is my living hope! I’m convinced but how do others become convinced? Only through the working of the HS – I need to be faithful and genuine and let the spirit work within the hearts of those who are being challenged to consider the claims of Jesus!
The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with their questions. This time however, they were questioned and were silenced. I too have been silenced by questions of others who have lost their way. They continue to ask questions that I can not answer. The questions asked show that they have already decided to have it their way. They have closed their minds and it is only by the power and workings of the Lord that their minds can be changed. Continue to lead me and guide me Lord that I may be a living epistle showing the Light of Christ in me. May they see that the joy of the Lord God is my strength even though I may not be able to answer all their questions.
[Verse 1]
Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
[Chorus]
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light
[Verse 2]
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood, I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
[Chorus]
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light
[Verse 3]
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here, may our lives tell Your story
Shine on me, shine on me
[Chorus]
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let, let there be light
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts, set them on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light!