Enemies of the Messiah

Enemies of the Messiah – did they know? Did they realize that this one, indeed, was the Messiah to come? The rumors filled the streets as he walked among the people. He went into the temple and declared he was fulfilling this scripture. Upon seeing the miracles, signs, and wonders of the Messiah Jesus [Yeshua] Christ, they were filled with contempt, unbelief, pride, and were sore displeased. Yet for these religious leaders a day would come when they would be Weeping in the temple knowing whom they had rejected.

The Day Priests, Scribes, and Elders were enemies of the Messiah

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Enemies of the Messiah

Do they know? Did they realize that this one, indeed, was the Messiah to come? The rumors filled the streets as he walked among the people. He went into the temple and declared he was fulfilling this scripture. Everyone stood in rapt attention upon hearing him say “The *Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Mouths dropped open, the Priests turned to each other and whispered as they hid their lips.

It was clear, everyone knew what he was saying. He was sent as the divine messenger, the anointed one. To this, the shock was clear and even more; the disgust of the hierarchy also was evident. Yet, Yeshua [Jesus Christ]; shut the book and gave it to the one standing there. He looked at them all knowing full well their reaction for he knew what was in men’s hearts. He then spoke in a firm voice, his eyes filled with love and determination as he said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears”! He left with some following him out into the outer court. You could have heard a pin drop as eyes following his every movement turned quickly to each other as he went out of sight.

That had been some time ago, as Jesus stood there, he took hold of the ride he had summoned to be brought. All was written and now as the ass waited for his rider; people stood watching. Everywhere he went, crowds followed, miracles occurred, and not even the Pharisees, Lawyers, or scribes could oppose him. He knew the books and the law. What was more, no one had ever done the miracles he did. Nothing like this or the miraculous to such a degree had occurred in Israel, not since the prophets. Even they did not do all this one did. Surely, he was the Messiah and everyone who followed him knew he had called God his Father. There were those who saw him as Gods Son.

Now on the ass, the foal of an ass sat the King of Zion. The multitude was ecstatic and with branches, reeds, and voices raised; all were praising this one as they threw them down in front of him as he rode on into the city. The people were joyous; the King, the Messiah had arrived, and hails of Hosanna and praise filled the event. Calling him the Son of David, they were saying “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

The King of Sion Came | Enemies of the Messiah

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this? And the multitude said, this is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

(Mat 21:5-11)

The excited masses swarmed the Messiah as onlookers in Jerusalem watched in gripped anticipation to the one riding on a Donkey, a common ass. Some laughed, but others watched keeping quiet as the word spread. This was the great prophet of Nazareth out of Galilee, Yeshua. When the young Prophet and miracle maker stopped, he was in front of the temple. The Chief Priests and others who were commonly around the temple at this time stood aback as the massive crowd followed him. Once inside the boldness of the anointed one took hold as he overthrew all the tables of the moneychangers and tossed the seats of those who sold doves. They had made money selling and exchanging money from Jews who travelled to Jerusalem from further parts of Rome. Jerusalem had become the center of the faith of the Jews and once there, many bought the things they need to follow the laws and offerings.

The Kings Temple a den of Thieves

People could not believe he had tossed and made a riot as this, but he spoke loudly and boldly saying “it is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves”. He looked straight at those whose tables were thrown over, and as the hierarchy of those in charge of the temple showed their disgust; he had made his point. Yet even the Messiah knew that this must be done. For all was to be done in its appointed time.

The King heals and does miracles and is rejected

At that time, the blind and lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them all. As these things occurred, the children in the temple began crying and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The chief priests and scribes who were watching became terribly upset at this. They watched him closely with disgust and heard him say to them “Have you never read, out of the mouth of babes and suckling’s thou have perfected praise?” He immediately turned around and went out.

Before he could make it out, a large crowd of blind, lame, and others who had been following knew he was the Prophet to come. They followed him in hopes of being delivered and as such, when they reached him, he immediately showed compassion. His love poured out and one by one, they were instantly healed. The common people and the small ones; the children saw all this and wept. It was one of the most astonishing acts and it was done here in the temple. It was the day of the Messiah, and all knew who he was. Even the ardent priests, scribes, and Pharisees looked on and could not deny what was going on. For some the contempt and hatred for this one whom the people saw as a prophet was open and their displeasure was showing on their faces. Yet, in the temple many believed including some of the Priests, Sanhedrin, and others there.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, it is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

(Mat 21:12-16)

The King, Faith, and Open Door

Out of the temple he went, the Son of God had made an impact. This was his purpose. He stood toe to toe with those in the temple. It was shock value to many who watched it, no one had ever shown such tenacity and straightforwardness before. As the Messiah walked, a crowd followed him, and his disciples were all around him keeping order as best they could amidst the events of the day. Suddenly the Son of God, Yeshua stopped at a fig tree that was green, but with no fruit. As he looked at it the words “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever” came forth loud and clear; no sooner than he got the words out the fig tree withered away to nothing. People looked as if it simply vanished, the disciples gaped with mouths open; their amazement was much too obvious. The fig tree to all had simply withered away at his command. This too, was another miracle. But this time it was a lesson for those around him.

Finally, He turned to the crowd and looked at them, then to his disciples who followed his every move. They were listening intently and knew he was about to teach them an important truth. They knew Him, or so they thought. They had eaten, slept, camped, walked, and followed him because they knew he was the Anointed one of God, the Messiah. The point here, the Messiah said “if you have faith, and do not doubt; you shall not only do this which was done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to unto this mountain, be thou removed and be cast into the sea; it shall be done. All things, he said whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” He finished and smiled unto them; love and compassion filled the air. This too was a new teaching. Now all who believed in Him could walk in the miraculous. Before it was the anointed Prophets, now through this Messiah; all who had faith in Him could do these things. Later, this was proven as the early church grew with signs, wonders, and miracles done by the Apostles and others in the faith.

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

(Mat 21:18-22)

Jesus then came again to the temple. The chief priests and elders stood there waiting for him. The previous day had surely stirred those in charge. They could not deny the miracles, nor the authority, and certainly not the popularity of this one who had turned Jerusalem upside down. The officials and elders; along with the chief priests came to him and demanded of him as he took up to teach again in their presence. They would not stand by, they wanted to know and thus they stood their ground saying, “By what authority do you do these things” and who gave you all this authority”? The Messiah looked at them, a slight upraised corner of his mouth gave the sign. No matter who they were, in His presence; they were the ones on the outside. Even in their own temple and within the walls of Jerusalem. They should have known, but they did not.

Chief Priests and elders to the King “We cannot Tell”!

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, from heaven; he will say unto us, why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, we cannot tell. And he said unto them, neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

(Mat 21:23-27)

The chief priests and elders demanded of him asking, “By What authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority.” Jesus in response looked at them and said, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things”. The officials stood there looking at him waiting. He then said, “The baptism of John, where did it come from; Heaven, or of men?” Immediately the chief priests and elders took council over this and seemed perplexed. The people watched intently, for many a Jew in Jerusalem would never challenge the Temple, the priests; as such. The problem was evident as Jesus knew within himself all things. If they were to say, “from heaven”, then they knew that he would say “Why then did you not believe him?” If they were to say of men; they feared the people; for they held John as a prophet”! As the challenge went unanswered the people waited silently. Then one of those within the group of Priests said, “We cannot tell”! To this the Lord said, “neither tell I you by what authority I do these things”!

It was here that many in the crowd had followed and believed him. He had said before that if “you don’t believe in him, believe him for the miracles sake”! He had in one way, or another told it plainly to the common folk that God was His Father and that His Father had sent him! Why did these in the temple not know this?

It was evident that those in charge in the temple never accepted John nor did they accept this one who was the Messiah. They had authority and with it the common work was to silence and condemn anyone who threatened their authority. As such, the Lord gave a parable. It involved a householder who had planted a vineyard, worked it, nourished it, put in a winepress, built a tower. It was a fine place and so he rented it out to someone to work it and left him in charge. As harvest grew near, the owner who had left the husbandman in charge to work it sent servants to him. They wanted the fruits of the harvest as was due, yet the one in charge killed one of the servants outright, stoned another one, and beat the third one and let him go.

The owner was furious, yet he sent other servants and this husbandman did the same to this group. Did they not understand that the place was not theirs? Yet, the owner finally sent his Son and knew that they would give respect to this “my only Son”. Yet as the Son approached the husbandman and those with him, they realized who this was. As such they killed the Son to take the inheritance, the very land they were working. Although it was not theirs to do so, they had convinced themselves that all this was right and proper.

Thus, when the time came, that owner would come and destroy all those wicked who had done so wickedly. He would then give this vineyard to someone he could trust and would honor him. The parable is given in the book of Matthew and as such the lesson to the house of Israel at that time was this. The House built was not Israel’s, but the Lords! The Apostle Paul later in Romans 11 discusses this, in terms of the Natural branches and the wild branches being the Gentiles. He warns the Gentiles in verse twenty-one of Romans 11 “If God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee”. He was addressing what Gentiles did at the time, being high-minded and certain God severed the natural branches, Israel. Paul says he did not. The Gentiles were not to replace Israel, but Israel would become both natural Israel and the grafted in Gentiles through Jesus [Yeshua] Christ! It is to that intent today. Read Romans 11 in context, prayerfully on this issue.

Yeshua [Jesus Christ] stood there after giving the parable and said, “have you not read in the scriptures ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’” Further the Lord said unto the Chief Priests and those who stood with them, “Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” The words cut to the very heart of the matter and those in authority knew it. This prophet was speaking of them. How dare he threaten them? So, it was at this time that these plotted to get rid of him; just as they had sought to rid themselves of John and his babbling. Yet those who followed this Prophet and Son of God believed on Him, so those who plotted to kill him could do nothing.

The inheritance given to another, the stone which the builders rejected!

Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore, say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

(Mat 21:42-44) | Context Mat 21:33-46

Today, we know of this Son of God as our Lord and Savior. It is His Gospel, sent by the Father; given to the Son, to be preached and taught unto men so they can believe and receive forgiveness and everlasting life. This is known by what the Apostle Paul calls the “love of the Truth”. God so loved that he gave, Christ Jesus so loved his Father and us, he came and died for our sins. He was crucified for our sins and became sin for us; he was and is that Passover Lamb. He was dead and buried in the tomb for 3 days and nights; was resurrected from the dead being the first fruits, seen alive through many witnesses and infallible proofs. He then left instructions with the Apostles, who later saw him rise to heaven in a cloud and was told he would come in like manner.

He has given us command to go and work in the field in His name. If we say we will go and then later do not; then we disobey. If we say we will not go and work in His name and then later do go and work; then it is that one who has done the will of the Father. Just as there were those in the time of the Messiah’s arrival who stood in the Temple and rejected this Son of God, so too; there are those who have done this. The world will hate us, reject us, and many a religious figure of authority will reject us and our message just as our Lord was persecuted and rejected of men.

Yet he overcame and so have we; We overcome the world by our faith, read 1^st John. Jesus said that the sinners “publicans and harlots” who had believed and received him would go into the kingdom of God before the religious Pharisees and Sadducees and Priests who had rejected him and plotted to kill him. Simply put, God sent his Son to save Sinners! Even the Apostle Paul said he was a “chief sinner”! Christ came not to save the righteous, but the sinners! These are those who realize and confess that they are sinners. To these the gift of grace and forgiveness is not only given but received by them. All of it by God’s grace through Faith. We must believe, for how can you believe God can send his Son to save you if you do not believe God exists? Yet for many, the day will come when indeed they will see and believe; but then it will be too late!

Chief Priests and Elders see the Kingdom of God go to another

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

(Mat 21:28-32)

On this day, let your faith rise and your obedience to Christ Jesus. Be firmly found in him. Know that although many generations and decades have passed since the incidents described above in Matthew 21; know that not much really has changed. The message and the Messiah are the same; yet the enemies of God are still doing the same thing today. These people are using generic ‘God’ and modern religious themes to reject the Son of God. Know that the enemy of our Lord who tried to trap him was the religious of his day. This is the same thing we see today in many cases. There is no other Messiah, no other Salvation, and no other message that can redeem you!

The Apostle John gives us clear warning, instruction, and tells us on the record!

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

(1Jn 2:22-24) | (1Jn 5:11-13)

Enemies of the Messiah

In the end, upon that cross he hung; while those who plotted to destroy him stood before this one whom they despised; they could not have known that indeed the Son of God hung on that cross and would be in the tomb. Later resurrected, witnessed by many; he ascended to his Father and is coming again. This day would be a redeeming event for all who had and later would believe upon him. But for this day as his enemies looked on, they were satisfied that he was finally rid of. For he was mere flesh and they succeeded in seeing him killed. Yet in their pride and rejection; this success would become their ultimate nightmare for they rejected the Son of God, the Messiah, and Lord of Lords; King of Kings and he is coming again! Very Soon.

References:

*Isaiah’s Prophecy, chapter 61:1

This article originally was originally written by Dana G Smith and titled “The Day Priests, Scribes, & Elders were Enemies of the Messiah”. It has been re-written and edited by Dana G Smith and re-titled “Enemies of the Messiah”. It is written in a Christian Prose format for purposes of highlighting the lessons therein. It is taken from Matthew 21 and is written as a first-person witness to the events. It is not meant in any way to replace the Word of God, but to be read alongside the true record given by the Holy Spirit.

Article notes

*To God be the glory who gave us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ; Yeshua Ha Massiach.  

Enemies of the Messiah by the Watchman Dana Glenn Smith. The Warn Radio shows are Hosted by the Watchman Dana G Smith and Tower who is co-host. | WIBR/WARN Websites and Ministries | An Indepth Biblical Teaching, preaching, warning, agency in these last days! | All scripture quoted is KJV of the bible unless it is noted to be another version.

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Enemies of the Messiah

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Enemies of the Messiah