[ Matthew 21:23–26:5, Mark 11:27–14:2, Luke 20:1–22:2, John 12:37–50 ]

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23)

“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42)

It is Tuesday in Jerusalem. From riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with crowds cheering “Hosanna” to flipping tables and expelling merchants from the temple, Jesus is not keeping a low profile. As he returns to the Temple Mount today, there will be no de-escalation in the rising conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. The chief priests, scribes, and elders — feeling their authority threatened by Jesus — are ready and waiting with a series of questions to trap him in his speech. 

On whose authority are you acting? Is it lawful to pay taxes? Whose wife will she be in the resurrection? What is the greatest commandment? After shutting down each question with a devastatingly wise and discerning answer, Jesus turns the tables on his opponents with a question of his own. How can the Messiah (David’s son) also be David’s Lord, he asks. They don't realize that they are staring at the Messiah. Not just David’s Lord, but their Lord as well. They are in the presence of David’s greater Son, the king who will reign eternally from sea to sea. But even their rejection of the cornerstone is not outside God’s control. God is at work through it all, accomplishing his plan. All of it is the sovereign Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, you are high and lifted up, all-wise and all-knowing. We stand amazed in seeing how you sovereignly accomplish your plan of redemption by condescending to us in Jesus. Help us to never lose sight of the wonder of Jesus. He is the cornerstone. Help us to depend on him, to put our confidence in him alone, to build our lives on him. We ask this in his name, the marvelous name of Jesus, Amen.