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Who Is This? (What They Said About Jesus)

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Matthew 21:10-11

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We are familiar with triumphal entry of Jesus as He prepared to die.  It was His final week. On Sunday He enters the city riding on a donkey.  The crows are jubilant believing that it was finally time for their messiah (though they still misunderstood His mission).  They are laying down their coats and palm branches as He enters the city and celebrating.  In our text we read, And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

An interesting inquiry is made of Jesus saying, “Who is this?”   Clearly, many were familiar with Jesus, and very likely others had likely heard of Him and His works.  But for some, what was happening was a surprise.  And for the religious leaders who opposed Jesus they were concerned about the crowds.  Those who were informed answered, “This is Jesus…”

This was the week that Passover would begin so the city was likely overfilled.  Jesus then proceeds to cleanse the temple and heal the blind and lame (vs. 12-14).  Jesus is establishing who He is while in complete control.

There was another occasion when Jesus asked His own disciples, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?  Matthew 16:13-17.  The disciples noted different answers, John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.  All were noble observations (notice how they all knew He was someone special), but the real inquiry was to His disciples when He asked them, “Who do YOU say that I am?   Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.   In that, Jesus noted that they had rightly perceived about Him.

Throughout the life of Jesus various individuals reacted to Him with various answers. Some complimented Him, while others responded differently.   Today, I want to look at how some of those whom Jesus interacted with during His ministry responded to Him.

 

1. Some complimented Him
   1. Luke 3:16 – as John the Baptist taught preparing the way for Jesus, he acknowledged His greatness on this occasion. One whose sandal strap I am unworthy to loose. John knew who Jesus was and where we stand in relation to Him.  You find a similar declaration by Simon Peter as Jesus called Him.  After a miraculous catch of fish, Peter said to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” (Luke 5:8).
   2. John 2:5 – His mother, at a wedding feast in Canaan instructed those listening, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” We know that Mary had special knowledge about Jesus (being miraculously conceived and born by her, as a child where we are told she kept what He did at age 12 to hear – Luke 2:51-52.  She raised Him.  There was a reason that with confidence she could tell others, “Do whatever He tells you.”  Do we know Jesus enough to obey Him?  Luke 6:46, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?  John 8:31 He noted, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”
   3. Matthew 7:28-29, they were astonished because He taught as on having authority. At the conclusion of the “sermon on the mount” we find the crowd was astonished.
      1. The way Jesus taught was different.
      2. He taught that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (vs. 17-18), “But I say to you…” (5:22, 28, 32, 34, etc.), he challenged corruption among the leaders (7:15-20), etc.
   4. John 7:46 – no one every spoke like this. On an occasion when some of the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take Him (vs. 32).  As Jesus taught, the crowds were divided because it was obvious by what He did (miracles, etc.) and taught that He was different.  The officers return without Him and the council wants to know why.  They answered, “No one ever spoke like this Man!”   This tells us how impactful He was.  They had no cause to take Him (and likely the crowds would not have allowed it at that time).
      1. Jesus always knew what to say and when to say it. He was in control.
   5. John 3:2 – Nicodemus, a Pharisee comes to Jesus by night and acknowledges Him saying, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” What a powerful declaration.  The works that Jesus did clearly demonstrated that God was with Him.  Jesus taught this on several occasions – Matthew 9:1-8 where He forgave the paralytic and then healed Him.  His works verified who He was.  John 10:37-38 He challenged some of the hostile Jews noting that even if they did not believe Him (i.e., like Him or what He taught) to consider the works He did.  They refused. Luke 8:25 – What sort of man is this, that even the winds and water obey Him?
   6. John 6:68-69 – Lord, to whom shall we go? After some strong teaching that results in many of His disciples leaving, Jesus asks His apostles, “Do you also want to go away.” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Having been with Jesus for some time now they are fully convicted as to who Jesus was.  This was the same answer as we noted in Matthew 16:13-17.  This is the confession we must make when we obey the gospel – Romans 10:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:12-13 (John 18:36-37).
   7. John 4:29 – a Samaritan woman whom Jesus had a conversation with, leads to Jesus revealing Himself as Messiah that they were looking for. She goes and tells those in the city, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”  Jesus manifested His deity by His ability to know what was in the hearts of men (and women) – John 2:24-25, Matthew 9:4.  Do we live knowing that Jesus knows everything about us? Cf. Hebrews 4:12-13.
   8. Matthew 17:1-5 – toward the end of His earthly ministry, as Jesus prepares to finally head toward Jerusalem, He goes up on a high mountain with Peter, James & John. His appearance is altered, and Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Him (about His departure – Luke 9:31).  Peter wants to introduce all 3 to the people, but a voice (God) speaks to him and says, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.  Hear Him!”   This is a declaration (and complement) from God Himself.  We have recorded 3 occasions when God spoke about Him – at His baptism (Matthew 3:16 & 17) & days prior to His betrayal and arrest as HE once again predicts what is about to happen, notes that it was for this purpose that He came and prayed, ‘Father, glorify Your name”.  A voice from heaven declared, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again”.  (John 12:28).  People in the crowd heard it.  When God speaks, we definitely ought to listen!
   9. Matthew 22:16-21 – In a context where enemies of Jesus are trying to entrap Him, the Jewish leaders send their own disciples to entrap Him. These individuals begin with a compliment, “Teacher, we know that You are true and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.  This final phrase is not saying Jesus did not care, but rather implies that they knew He was impartial as He taught and judged (though they did not agree with Him).  Nevertheless, they paid Him a compliment.  Not every complement is said with pure motives.  Sometimes a complement is intended to disarm someone or entrap them.  Proverbs 29:5 notes, A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.
   10. John 18:38 – Pilate was not a follower of Jesus. And his interaction with Him demonstrates that.  History records his character was less than honorable.  After Pilate interviewed Jesus he declared, I find no fault in Him.  This is a powerful compliment, but it did not sway him to do the right thing.  Sometime, people know the truth, but it does not change them.  That was Pilate.  AND, there is also something to be said about a compliment from opponents & enemies.
2. What others said about Him
   1. If you have studied through the gospels, you know that not everything said to Jesus was complimentary. He had enemies and others who were unsure about Him.  Matthew 16, in our introduction establishes this point, as many saw Jesus as someone worthy though they misunderstood Him.   Let us notice some other things said about Jesus.
   2. John 1:45-46 – Can anything good come out of Nazareth? How Nathaniel meant this is not known.  Did Nazareth have “a reputation”, or was it insignificant as a place?  Philip said, “Come and see.”  Both would become apostles.  On note: One’s worth is not determined by where he was born or raised – cf. Galatians 3:27-28.  There are examples in scripture of God using the lowly and unknown – Gideon (Judges 6:15 – his clan was the weakest in Manasseh); King Saul from Benjamin and his family the least (the smallest tribe – 1 Sam. 9:21); David was the youngest and viewed as less significant when his brothers were presented before Samuel as he searched for God’s anointed (1 Samuel 11:1-13).
   3. The religious leaders made several unfounded charges against Jesus because of their disdain and rejection of Him.
      1. Luke 5:21 – “Who is this who speaks blasphemies?” This occurs as Jesus heals the paralytic.  They heard Jesus make a declaration that made Him deity.  If it were true, He would be blaspheming, but Jesus “backed it up” with a miracle.
      2. Luke 5:30-31 – After this, Luke records that Jesus calls Matthew to be a disciple. He invites his tax collector friends (and sinners) to join him.  All the Pharisees could say was “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus will explain, but that does not change their minds.
      3. Luke 11:15 – On one of the many occasions where Jesus casts out a demon (this one made him blind and mute), because the Pharisees could not deny the miracle and authority of Jesus, they criticized Him saying, He casts out demons by Beelzebub the ruler of demons. Again, Jesus answers their corrupt accusations.
   4. From these examples we can see their deliberate blindness. They heard and saw things that challenged their current beliefs
   5. Matthew 27:63-64 – after seeing to the death and burial of Jesus, the Pharisees & chief priests go Pilate requesting that the tomb be sealed and secured. They note that Jesus had said that He would arise after 3 days.  NOTE: The disciples of Jesus had a hard time grasping that Jesus would be raised the 3^rd day, but His enemies knew that He had declared this clearly.  They took action to thwart it from happening.  But we know they FAILED!  Jesus arose!
3. What will you say about Jesus?
   1. We have noted a number of things that people said about Jesus, both positive and negative. We can certainly learn from these, but ultimately the question we each face is this: What will I say about Jesus?
   2. Will I say:
      1. “I am unworthy”? Which we all are, but that is where our faith in Him begins.  Cf. Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in Spirit.
      2. “Whatever you say to do”? We are called to be disciples of Jesus. A disciple is more than a student.  He is a learner who intends to imitate the ways and teachings of His master.  Luke 9:23 calls for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.
      3. “You do have all authority”? – Matthew 28:18.
      4. “You are a teacher that came from God”? – this is an acknowledgment of His deity. John 1:1. Understanding who Jesus is, is crucial to our faith.  John 8:24, If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.
      5. “You are the Son of God” – will you confess Him as Lord? Romans 10:9-10
      6. “You know everything about me”? – As David taught in Psalm 139:7, “Where can I go from You Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?”  Hebrews 4:13 tells us all things are naked and open to His eyes.
      7. “I will hear you and you only”? – Acts 4:12 – there is no other name by which we can be saved.
      8. “You are true and just”? – We do not question His will and acknowledge He is a just and fair judge.
      9. “You are perfect”? – 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us He knew no sin. 1 John 3:5 declares that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.  This why He is the example we seek to imitate.
   3. PUTTING all of these together and many others, will we accept Him as Lord and Savior by obeying the gospel? Galatians 3:27.
   4. OR, will you be like His enemies and critics and reject Him, mock Him and accuse Him.

The way you view Jesus will have a bearing on your eternity, how you live your life and what you tell others about Him.  Who is Jesus to you?  Think about it!