Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Matthew 21:23-32

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” This is how the chief priests and the elders question Jesus while he was teaching in the temple. On the preceding day, Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem in the company of his disciples and a very large crowd of pilgrims who had come to celebrate Passover. Given the political meaning of the Passover celebration and the possibility of revolts, the Romans were used to sending extra troops to Jerusalem to control any situation. So, while the Roman army entered Jerusalem with great power and force, Jesus entered riding on a donkey peacefully and with great authority, recognized by the pilgrims who hailed him as the son of David, the One who comes in the name of the Lord (Matthew 21,9).

Jesus’ impacting entry into Jerusalem created great turmoil in the whole city, whose inhabitants were mostly the socio-economic and religious elites who controlled the temple and the economic system built around it.  Jesus’ presence disturbed and perturbed the established order in such a way that people were asking, “Who is this?” The crowd of pilgrims who recognized Jesus responded, “… the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee” (Mattheew 21,10).

As Jesus entered the temple, he saw how it had been turned into a market, so he drove out all those who traded there saying, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers” (Matthew 21,12-13). Jesus’ actions struck at the base of the control that the priests and elders exercised over the temple and the people. What a prophet!

As Jesus remained in the temple many sick people came to him, and he cured them. Meanwhile the welcoming and joyous children, followers of Jesus, were crying out and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The temple was now a place of worship, prayer, teaching, healing, and a space for children. The chief priests and Sadducees were not happy at all with this change!

On his second day in Jerusalem, Jesus has returned to the temple and continues teaching, which perturbs those who control the temple, the chief priests and the elders, who have come to stop him. Both represent the wealthy elite, but their authority is widely questioned by the people. However, their socioeconomic and religious position gives them control over the temple and the people. But now, it is Jesus who occupies the temple!  So, they demand, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21,23). They are furious because Jesus is putting an end to their corrupt business in the house of the Lord.

Jesus is not intimidated and with God’s authority faces them, but before responding, he requires that they answer a question about John’s baptism. Was it from heaven or was it of human origin? The dialogue is a public event and the chief priests and the elders, who have a questionable reputation, now find themselves in a bind. They cannot deny the legitimacy of John’s baptism because they are afraid of the crowd who regard John to be a prophet. On the other hand, if they affirm that John’s baptism was from heaven, Jesus will ask them why they did not believe John. So, with great confusion they respond, “We do not know.” Just imagine this moment!! Certainly, these corrupt chief priests and elders have lost! 

Jesus ends this exchange and exposing their lack of authority, he says, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things” (Matthew 21,27).

The confrontation in Jerusalem is just beginning. Jesus is not yet done with the chief priests and elders and continues denouncing their evil authority. He tells them a parable about two sons who are sent by their father to work in the family vineyard. The first son tells his father that he will go, but later changes his mind. The second son says he will go but does not. With a rhetorical tone, Jesus asks the chief priests and the elders, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They respond, “The first” (21,31). Through this exchange, Jesus exposes what they really think about John. They did not believe nor respond to John but pretend to be righteous before the people. So, they embody the second son, a hypocrite, who does not fulfill God´s will. Simply stated, they are merchants of faith and hold no authority! Jesus does!!

Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus’ presence in the temple, his driving out the merchants and putting an end to the high priests’ and the elders’ enrichment warns us to not fall into practices disguised in Christian teachings with the intention to enrich some and impoverish others. Today, Jesus also reminds us that our temples are not places where faith is a profit-minded business, where one intends to accumulate capital or become a millionaire. Jesus teaches us that our temples must be houses of prayer, healing, learning, restoration, sharing, and solidarity.

Today, who occupies our temples: Jesus or the merchants of faith? Who has the authority in our communities: Jesus or those who exercise oppressive power?

May Jesus come to our community and bless us with his teachings, healing. and restoration. Amen.