(Bible Study - May 2000) As we know full well, the supreme test of our Lord’s humility was the cross. From whatever angle we view it, it was a bitter and challenging experience. We have endeavoured to demonstrate earlier in the present series that Jesus embarked upon his ministry in the full knowledge that it would culminate in Calvary. What made his burden all the greater was the fact he alone was aware he was to die upon the cross. His most intimate followers had no inkling crucifixion was to be the mode of his death; they did not even think the one who was their Messiah would be put to death at all.
It is true, however, that when, despite the fierce opposition he had already aroused in Jerusalem, he was resolved to go to the city at that final Passover, his apostles were conscious of the risk he was running. Thomas was under no illusion. When the Lord responded to the appeal of Martha and Mary and went to Bethany, so near to the city (John 11:1-3), Thomas knew the Lord’s life would be in jeopardy. Bravely he said: "Let us also go that we may die with him." Note the "also." This incident is often cited as evidence of the apostle’s courage.
Thomas overwhelmed by the cross
But it needs to be viewed in the light of Thomas’ subsequent behaviour. Much is
made of the empty boast of Peter and his denials of his Lord. He, too, sounded so
confident in his protestations which proved empty. But what of Thomas? Was he not among
those who turned tail and fled? "Then all the disciples left him, and fled"
(Matt. 26:56).
Thomas never exposed himself to the trial of loyalty which came Peter’s way when he went to the judgement hall. From a worldly viewpoint, Thomas acted prudently in fleeing knowing full well he could do nothing to avert the fate which his Lord seemed determined to suffer.
So convinced was Thomas that the Lord’s death was not only inevitable but also final that he expressed doubts when told of the Lord’s resurrection (John 20:25). His doubts were, as we know, laid to rest for later he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God" (v. 28).
May we not see in Thomas an incidental, but powerful, witness to the reality of Christ’s resurrection? Why cast a needless slur upon one of the twelve if Thomas did not really doubt, only later to yield to the evidence of his own senses?
Jesus would not back down
In this digression we have almost lost sight of our Lord. His last visit to Jerusalem
and its neighbourhood was not all gloom. The raising of Lazarus was an extraordinary
miracle for the Lord to perform. It demonstrated the glory of God and showed that the
Father responded always to the prayers of the Son (John 11:40,42). But while this sign was
a signal manifestation of his authority, it served only to incense his enemies. They
sought now not merely his death, but also that of Lazarus (John 12:10).
In the circumstances, prudence would have counselled caution, but this was not part of the Lord’s programme. The second cleansing of the temple would enrage the Jewish leaders (Matt. 21:12-13). Reports of this challenging act would spread like wildfire throughout Jerusalem, crowded as it was at Passover time. But that was not all. There was the triumphant procession when the excited crowd cried along: "Hosanna: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel" (John 12:13 RSV).
His enemies enraged
There were in these events tokens of his unique authority, and sources of great
encouragement to himself, as they should have been to his apostles. The latter were well
aware, however, of the effect upon the authorities and their fears must have been very
real as they calculated the effect of their Master’s various actions upon his
enemies. Worse was to follow.
The Jewish leaders did not remain passive during those final days of the ministry. First, they inquired who gave him the authority to act as he had done (Matt. 21:23). He referred them to the witness of the Baptist, his baptism and, implicitly, to what John had said about Jesus (vv. 25-27). Then there were the lame attempts, which completely misfired, to publicly discredit Jesus by a series of questions (Matt. 22:15-40). Finally, the Lord addressed a question to his interrogators which served only to add to their embarrassment, for they could not answer him (vv. 41-46).
We must remember that the actors in these last scenes were the accredited leaders of the people, proud of their learning and the prestige they enjoyed. To their dismay, frustration and mortification, they were made to look like children by this man from Nazareth. But their woes were not ended.
With a large crowd and his disciples as his audience (Matt. 23:1), Jesus launched an all-out attack on the scribes and Pharisees (v. 2): self-seekers, hypocrites, fools and blind, serpents, offspring of vipers, whited sepulchres (vv. 5-7, 15, etc.). The blows were being rained upon the scribes and Pharisees. What a challenge to their pride. Would they be willing to look at themselves from God’s viewpoint?
His enemies devoid of humility
It is in this chapter, as he does elsewhere, the Lord stresses the need for humility: "But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself
shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted: (vv. 11-12). As we
read these words, we do well to set aside the scribes and Pharisees and summon the
humility to ask ourselves whether any of the criticisms in this extraordinary chapter
apply to ourselves.
As far as the Lord’s enemies were concerned, this was a declaration of war against them; the humility necessary to look at themselves and amend their ways before God was utterly beyond them. As the apostles heard these denunciations, they must have gasped more than once. They would be aware that their Master seemed bent upon his own destruction. If they were afraid when they approached Jerusalem, how much more fearful they would be after the events taking place during these momentous days?
Pharisees had opportunity to repent
Some critics have felt the Lord went too far in his resounding denunciations of the
scribes and Pharisees. They were uttered, however, at the very end of the ministry. Our
Lord had long experience with the intolerant hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their
associates. In the early days, when, in the synagogue, Jesus healed the man with a
withered hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees plotted to kill him (Matt. 12:9-14). The
attitude of implacable hostility to our Lord continued throughout the ministry; one
wonders how the critics would feel if they were subjected to this blind and murderous
legalism after performing an act of mercy.
Yet Jesus loved Jerusalem
The Lord did not let his feelings run away with him when he attacked the scribes and
Pharisees so uncompromisingly. After foretelling the treatment his followers would receive
at the hands of the Jewish authorities (Matt. 23:34), he went on to express his love and
concern for Jerusalem:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killeth the prophets and stoneth them that are sent unto her! How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (v. 37). These words recall the Lord’s reaction when he came in sight of the city that was to reject and crucify him; he wept over it (Lk. 19:41).
There is surely something sublime about our Lord’s attitude: such love and concern are only possible in one who is deeply humble and forgiving. Here is the spirit of Christ, which you and I are called upon to develop and manifest (Rom. 8:9).
But the very qualities which the Lord revealed fueled the anger of his enemies and hastened his end.
Tom Barling