Matthew 21 - 09.21.23
SCRIPTURE :Matthew 21:14-16 NIV
“The blind and the lame came to Jesus at the temple, and HE healed them.
But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things JESUS did ——and the children shouting PRAISE in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ ?””
OBSERVATION:
After driving the money changers and the temple merchants away from His Father’s House, Jesus performed public miracles of healing on the temple grounds. People who were blind and who were lame came to Him and the people were amazed at the wonderful things He was doing.
Even the children were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
The term, Hosanna is simultaneously a declaration of joy and praise as well as a Hebrew expression that means “Oh Save us!” and “Praise to the Savior.”
The term Son of David was an overt Messianic label. It came from a divine promise to David as prophesied through Nathan that God would give David a descendant whose throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 12-13). This forever king was believed by the Jews to be the Messiah. Jesus was a descendant of David (Matthew 1:1) and He was the Messiah (Matthew 1:14). The children were basically shouting to Jesus “Messiah save us!” and “Praise to Jesus, our Messiah!”
This greatly angered the chief priest and scribes. But when the chief priests and the scribes confronted Jesus indignantly asking Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”
Jesus did not repudiate the children as they expected. HE repudiated the priests and scribes instead.
He asked them a rhetorical question of His own: Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”
APPLICATION:
The Children shall Lead them
Matthew alone shares this important piece of the story…There are children at the Temple literally SHOUTING praises to Jesus-claiming Him as the Messiah! Hosanna! Jesus Saves!
One commentator mentioned that there would have been 12yr old boys at the Temple about to partake in their first ceremony. How befitting that they would be there to hail this moment in time.
“Luther was greatly encouraged when he found that the children met together for prayer. He said, ‘God will hear them. The devil himself cannot defeat us now that the children begin to pray.’” (Spurgeon)
I am continually blessed by our Church and how God continues to move in our children of ALL ages!
I’m always amazed at what comes out of their hearts and mouths. Noah and Hunter and their prophetic gifting completely dumbfound me. Dom is precious in how he wants to pray for others. Melody getting up in front of our church and speaking out Psalm 139 with such poise and amazing comprehension! 🤯 God is Moving!
May we each be surrounding them in prayer and encouragement as they all grow in God and His Word. Thank You to Joni for her leadership in Kid’s church and to Katie for her Leadership with Highrise and to everyone who serves!
“My house shall be a House of Prayer” (Matthew 21:13)
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’ ?””
(Matthew 21:16 NIV)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
Thank You LORD that YOU are Hosanna—Jesus Saves!
Thank You Lord that this message is the Good News for EVERYONE!
Thank You Lord that it is so simple and true that children can share it!
It is Your Good Pleasure to Call forth Praise from the lips of Children—
Thank You for putting me in Desert Streams where I have the opportunity to continue
To learn and grow from people of all ages—Bless our workers and give them strength and wisdom for all they do.
All Praise to You Lord-amen.