Last week I wrote about what we might be missing as a disciple, but it is easier to talk about what the Pharisees missed, and there is probably some value in exploring that.
These were the religious leaders and scholars, and there was a long tradition of prophecy that showed pretty clearly how things would go. Matthew demonstrates this pretty clearly by referring to previous writings throughout his gospel to show the connections between the prophecies and the fulfillment, so it was possible to see. The people who should have had the best background for seeing it nonetheless missed it.
Remember, the disciples had a hard time not only visualizing that Jesus was literally telling them that he was going to die and rise again, but also accepting it when others said it had happened. Eventually they each got their chance to see him. Some people criticize Thomas for not believing the other apostles, but the other apostles didn't believe the women, even seeing that the tomb was empty and it was a fulfillment of prophecy.
The chief priests also got the information, and their answer was a bribe to the guards - say you were asleep and the disciples stole the body. Yes, dereliction of duty is punishable by death, but if anyone asks about it, we'll take care of it.
Now, given the false witnesses at the trial, and the conspiracy that was involved in the arrest, this dishonesty is not really surprising, except that you could argue that this should be the final proof that Jesus was the Christ all along. Maybe they doubted the other miracles, or misunderstood their significance, and were mad at the lies, but at this point that falls apart - they will tell their own lies rather than accept the truth. Why?
Certainly he challenged their authority, but there were still people with status who found ways to learn of him, like Nicodemus, or the young ruler who was being pretty good right up until he asked what he lacked and couldn't accept that it was giving up his possessions.
There are two easy ways to go wrong, and remember, this is among the technically righteous.
One is to care too much about things that interfere. That could be power and position and money, but it could also be Sunday activities that would interfere with attending church. On my mission I taught a wonderful family and the home was just full of the Spirit when we taught, but they were already members of a church that had a congregation they really loved, and they didn't want to break those social ties. If that hadn't been so devastating, I might have thought about suggesting they bring that congregation along with them - we would have taught everyone. If they had committed, they would have wanted to do that. What they saw was the potential loss.
The other thing is the you frequently hear that the Jews were expecting a political Messiah who would kick out the Romans and be an earthly leader. There was nothing wrong with wanting political deliverance, but that would have only been a temporary blessing for any of them. Jesus came offering them something eternal, but there were temporal blessings with it too. Reading the accounts of the healings, it is amazing to think about how that would have been for so many people to be able to see, and to walk again, and to be able to feel good after years of illness. He offered amazing gifts, but it's not what was wanted.
It is very easy to want something different than what appears to be God's plan for you. It is worth remembering that He knows more than you. Through prayer, these differences can be worked out, but you have to at least be willing to put your pre-existing ideas aside. Some people really cling to them.
Within the church, we're more likely to go wrong as Pharisees than as prostitutes and sinners, especially because we're more likely not to notice.
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