Matthew 21:14-17 (NIV) The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”
And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
The chief priests and teachers of the law found themselves in a real spot. For a couple of years, as Jesus’ popularity increased, they had denounced Him as a charlatan, whose miracles were, at best, fakes, and at worst, were the work of the devil. But now, after He had made a scene in the temple courts that they were anxious to denounce, here He was healing multitudes right in front of their eyes. They would never be able to deny these miracles!
So instead, they seized on the cries of the children (imitating the cries of the crowds that had swept Jesus into the city just a few hours before) appealing for Jesus, as the Son of David, the Messiah, to save God’s people. Their accusation was, how could Jesus let these children go on calling Him the Messiah?
Jesus’ answer stunned them. Referring to Psalm 8:2, He not only completely owned the title of Son of David, but justified the children’s cries as legitimate praise by the innocent hearts of children and infants. The religious leaders were stunned speechless by His response, and left powerless as Jesus finished healing those how had come to Him, and then left the city for Bethany.
Father, these guys just didn’t get it! Their pride and protectionism had completely blinded them to what You were doing through Jesus, so they were stymied. Even today, Lord, there are people who refuse to accept who Jesus is, and who plot against Your people. I pray that all of their eyes would be opened, so that they really can see, turn, and be saved. If they refuse, then work so powerfully through us that they are stymied in their plans, and left speechless and powerless in the face of Your power. Amen.