But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
John 12:37-38
After a brief respite in Bethany, Jesus returns to the Temple for a day, even to the present time, remains one of the most significant days in the life and ministry of Jesus. The commotion of the previous day subsided, the pharisees now take their opportunity to close in on Jesus. The religious leaders are ready for one last public showdown with the carpenter from Nazareth. Spoilers, it goes exactly how you’d expect.
Once again, the question at the forefront of the elders’ minds is one of authority. Several times in the course of his ministry is the question asked, “by whose authority do you do these things?” The people marveled at Jesus because he was one who spoke with authority. This is where the root of the contention between Jesus and the leaders of the people originates. They sought to lead the people through the authority of the law and tradition. Jesus’ arrival turns their authority inside-out as he speaks with inherent authority and the law of God only validates what he says. As they demand to know from where his authority comes, he gives a series of parables in response to their questions. And in these parables of destruction and rejection of God, the Pharisees they perceived that he spoke of them (Mt 21:45).
In these parables, we see several similarities, none more prominent than the theme of their rejection of those whom God has sent. There was a master who planted a vineyard and sent servants to collect the fruits of it from the stewards. Not respecting the servants or the son of the master, they kill him. Again, he turns and tells a parable of a wedding feast, those nearest and dearest are invited to come celebrate the marriage of the king’s son. Those invited are more preoccupied with their work that they cannot be bothered to celebrate such an occasion. So then, the servants are sent to the highways and byways to bid strangers and peasants to come to the feast. And what happens to the stewards of the vineyard or the invitees? The stewards were expelled from the vineyard and it was given to others. To the guests of the feast, the king sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city (Mt 22:7). The people, starting with the leaders, scorned the marvelous things God was about to do (Mt 21:42) and were being showed the consequences by the very Messiah they were rejecting.
The pharisees began their series of questions challenging Jesus’ authority. Jesus ends by posing a trick question of his own. Who’s son is the Christ? Their answer, “The son of David.” And Jesus, quotes his favorite verse, “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Ps 110:1) asking them how can the Christ be David’s son and yet also be his Lord? Silence. No one knew how to answer. Though the answer is obvious, they could not accept it. Jesus is the son of David, yet he is so much more marvelous than David. And because he is both son of David and son of God, he has all authority, strength, and glory.
Thus, when Isaiah asks, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” (Is 53:1), we know he is speaking of his own people and the coming Messiah. Their rejection of the Christ, though heartbreaking and tragic, was necessary. The Passover lamb has been inspected and found spotless, and so is to be led to slaughter. But the promise of the Lord to David’s Lord is Echoed, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” An inheritance is given to the Lamb because he bore their sins. And life is given to those who are covered by his blood.
