“What do you think about the Christ? Who’s son is He?” (Matthew
22:42 [NASB])
The Pharisees and other religious leaders refused to see Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah. They actively refused to believe, so much so that they executed Him on a cross. They also actively strained the gnat, the small laws that made them appear more pious, but couldn't make time for the camel, the things everyone else does in following God's commands, decrees, and laws. These leaders went to great trouble to strain out all the small things. It takes more care to strain small things than large things like the camel. Yet, their efforts to follow the letter of the laws they created supposedly showed their piety.
Jesus’ statement to these men meant they considered the Son of God like the camel; they refused to hear and believe Jesus is the Son of God. These leaders believed He was flesh and a son of David but no more. They wanted to keep their reputation and status in Judea and not be overshadowed by anyone. These religious leaders knew all the laws, commands, and decrees of God and the traditions of the church, but they chose to make only the small things important, things like church traditions. They believed Jesus was a son of man because of His parentage, but refused to believe He is more than that, that He is Sovereign Lord. These leaders wanted people to keep thinking they themselves were the most God-like. They did not want to concede that some poor carpenter's son from Bethlehem is God made flesh.
To apply this to us, which of the traditions of the church and the laws, commands, and decrees of God do we choose to follow to appear more godly than other people and which do we relegate to the closet considering them unworthy of recognition? Do we make sure we are seen giving money to the needy or the church? Do we attend church every Easter, Christmas, and Sunday only so others can see us attend? Do we give money to a charitable organization that lists its donors? Do we do these things instead of choosing to recognize, listen to, heed, and obey God in the daily things of our lives? When we do these gnat-straining things, we are like the Jewish religious leaders who actively did not seek Jesus Messiah but sought to enhance their status in the community.
God seeks obedience, not grand gestures. This means we must live like Jesus is the Sovereign Lord of our lives and of the world. We must step out of the spotlight and honor and serve God by serving others. Live like Jesus is son of man and Son of God, not one or the other. Let Jesus be Savior and Ruler of your life each day as Son of God, and be son of man, knowing what it’s like to deal with what life throws at you.
