The King We Want, But Not the King We Need

In Matthew 21:1–22:14, King Jesus exposes the sins of Israel and uncovers why the religious leaders rejected Him and His message. Let’s explore the lessons we can learn from the stories of Saul, David, and Solomon concerning the rejection of Jesus as the true King.

Saul, David, and Solomon: The Kings We Wanted, but Not the Kings We Needed. Throughout Israel’s history, there were instances where the people desired kings who fulfilled their worldly desires rather than God’s plan. Saul, David, and Solomon fell short, revealing the need for a trustworthy and righteous king.

Saul’s failure stemmed from taking on more than just the role of king (1 Samuel 13). On the other hand, David failed when he neglected his kingly duties (2 Samuel 11). Similarly, Solomon’s downfall came when he imitated the kings of other nations (1 Kings 3). These examples highlight the consequences of seeking leaders who prioritize personal gain or deviate from God’s commands.

The Cry for a King: Spiritual Blindness and Self-Interest In 1 Samuel 8:1–7, we see the Israelites’ plea for a king like the other nations. This desire showcased their spiritual blindness and self-interest. They rejected God as their true King and sought an earthly ruler to fulfill their immediate desires.

Similarly, the religious leaders of Jesus’ time had spiritual blindness and self-interest. Their lack of understanding and rejection of the Word led to their rejection of Jesus as the true King. Luke 11:52 highlights how their greed and self-centeredness hindered them from recognizing God’s authority.

Jesus, the True King: Fulfilling Prophecy and Exposing Hypocrisy. In Matthew 21:1–11, Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a humble donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. While the crowd welcomed Him as the Son of David, their understanding of His kingship was limited. Jesus, however, demonstrated that His kingdom transcended worldly expectations.

Jesus’ actions in cleansing the temple and cursing the fig tree exposed the hypocrisy within Israel. The temple had become a den of thieves, and the fig tree, symbolizing the nation, lacked spiritual fruitfulness. Through these acts, Jesus revealed the inward corruption and outward fruitlessness that characterized the religious leaders’ hypocrisy.

Lessons in Disobedience: Rejecting the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The parables in Matthew 21:23–22:14 depict the religious leaders’ disobedience to God. They rejected the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The parable of the vineyard (vv. 33–46) represents their rejection of Jesus as the Son, leading to judgment and the transfer of God’s kingdom to the church.

Furthermore, the parable of the wedding feast (vv. 1–14) illustrates the Father’s continued invitation to Israel, despite their rejection of the Son. It also highlights the extension of this invitation to all, emphasizing the importance of accepting God’s grace and avoiding the disobedience that characterized the religious leaders.

Jesus, the King We Need: In contrast to the flawed human kings, Jesus subverts our expectations and becomes the King we genuinely need. We often desire leaders who cater to our worldly wants rather than our heavenly needs. Jesus, as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, surpasses all human failures and offers the authentic leadership and salvation we require.

Matthew 21:1–22:14 challenges us to reevaluate our desires for leaders and recognize Jesus as the true King. By studying the failures of Saul, David, and Solomon and the rejection of Jesus by religious leaders, we can learn valuable lessons about the importance of obedience to God’s Word, the dangers of spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, and the necessity of accepting Jesus as our ultimate King. May we submit ourselves to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who fulfills our heavenly needs and offers eternal salvation.

~PW 🌮🛶