2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Saturday, October 24
Matthew 22:41-46
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: 42 “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,
44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet” ’?
45 “If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.
“… nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions …”
In the tradition of the rabbis, questions were an active teaching technique. Both the rabbi and the learners were expected to offer questions so as to bring about further enlightenment. Therefore, when Jesus gives the answer to his own question about the Messiah, it should have been a moment of enlightenment. However, that’s not what the Pharisees heard. For them it was the end of the time of learning. There only response now was to plot Jesus’ demise.
Often, when we stop asking questions about who Jesus – who he is, what he does, why he does what he does, etc. – we find ourselves in the same shoes as the Pharisee. After all, there is so much more to our Lord’s presence in us and the world than we could possibly fathom. Continuing to grow in our experience of the Lord adds to our relationship. The more we ask the greater our enlightenment. For the faithful, the learning never ends.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are beyond our comprehension. Inspire me to ask the questions that enable greater enlightenment for me. Teach me Your way this day. Humble me by Your answers. Amen.