“The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words… Surrounded by them, Jesus asked the Pharisees a question: ‘What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’” Matt. 22:15, 41-42
Lord Jesus, what a holy irony, beautiful twist, and abiding question. It was Wednesday before Good Friday. In two days, you would quietly surrender to the eternal plan of redemption—God’s Lamb taking away the sin of the world. (Isa 53:7; Jn. 1:36), not a helpless victim taken away by an angry mob. Though the Pharisees tried to trap you in your words, only by your word could they draw their next breath (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:7). The question you asked them remains for us.
Who do WE think you are, Jesus? Where do we begin? How long do we have? You are Son of Man and God the Son—Creator and Sustainer, Reconciler and Restorer of all things. Jesus, you are the Alpha and Omega, and everything in between. Angels worship you and stars sing to you. Demons tremble before you and … (long grateful pause) … we belong to you!
Your glory is our chief aim and your cross is our only boast. We are clothed with your righteousness and shepherded by your tenderness. You are high and exalted, yet gentle and lowly—impossible to contain, yet you inhabit our hearts. You are ruler of the kings of the earth and “welcome-er” of the smallest child.
Jesus, you never cease praying for us (Heb. 7:25) or pause in rejoicing over us (Isa. 62:5). You work in all things for our good and will finish making all things new. Your perfect love expels our fears and your soon return ignites our hope. Hallelujah, and So VERY Amen