Matthew 21:33-46 I think it’s hard for most of us to think of Jesus being a troublemaker. Even though I envision Jesus being gracious, loving, and welcoming, in the Gospels he was always stirring up trouble. So, it’s no surprise that the political and the religious leaders got anxious when Jesus came to town for Passover Week. Jesus wasn’t and isn’t the only trouble-making religious leader. Paul, Francis of Assisi, and Martin Luther all had opponents. I even hear that some folks in the Catholic Church aren’t big fans of Pope Leo. People tend not to like preachers who step on their toes, especially if they are political or religious leaders. Our reading from the Gospel of Matthew places Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple the day after he entered Jerusalem in triumph and then cleansed the Temple. These actions had put the religious and political leaders on edge. So, it’s not surprising that a group of religious leaders challenged Jesus authority to disrupt life in the ...
Sermons of a Disciples Preacher Ministering in Troy, Michigan