Something Greater Has Come!

Hozomon Gate at Senso-ji in Tokyo, Japan

I visited two temples in Tokyo this week (repeat that ten times really fast) and thought of this set of three statements Jesus made to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:6, 41, 42.

Verse 6: “Something greater than the temple is here.”

Jesus pointed the Pharisees, those who were well-learned in the scriptures, to something, in scripture, they should have recognized immediately--(Malachi 3:1-4). Jesus was saying, I am “the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight,” I am “the Lord whom you seek” who will “suddenly come to his temple.” By quoting from Malachi, Jesus was clearly saying, I am Messiah, standing in this temple before you now. In (John 5:39-40), Jesus chided the Pharisees saying, "you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." Every time I open scripture, the covenant in which I delight, I must understand it points me to the LORD Jesus. He is the embodiment of the Father’s promise to mankind. Jesus is the life, the one I seek, the one who came to fulfill the promise of the old covenant and create a new covenant by His blood (Colossians 1:13-20). Jesus is the one, through the Holy Spirit, who is present with me now—whatever my situation. Jesus is greater than the law—because He is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).

Verse 41: “Something greater than Jonah is here.”

When they asked Him for a sign, Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees of being part of an adulterous and evil generation, (Matthew 12:38). He referenced (Jonah 1:17), "no sign will be given...except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Pointing to the manner of His own death, Jesus came to deliver the same message, "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Nineveh responded to Jonah's message as Jesus wished the Jews would respond to Him, (Jonah 3:5). “And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” Jesus praised the people of Nineveh for their repentance, which started with their heart attitude and dictated their behavior. These things stayed the hand of God from the destruction of Nineveh. How revolutionary would this be, if I repeated this example in my personal or family life? Repentance does not need to happen only in the confession box. Anytime I choose to believe God and bend my knee to Him, His Holy Spirit brings about a rebirth and renewal in my relationship with God and with others.

Verse 42: “Something greater than Solomon is here.”

Jesus said this in response to the determination of the Queen of Sheba, (1 Kings 10:1*/2 Chronicles 9:1). “When the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions*.” The Queen came to Jerusalem and told Solomon “everything that was on her mind.” She recognized Solomon’s wisdom was beyond that of mere mortals. Through Solomon, she came to get answers she needed from the LORD God Almighty. Jesus said to the Pharisees, “something greater than Solomon is here.” What are my questions today? In what area do I need direction and guidance? What is troubling me today? A greater than Solomon is here. Jesus is the answer. In the Gospels, I see and choose to follow His example for living, for relationship with God the Father, for respecting authority, for treatment of others, for responding to injustice, for prayer, for enduring suffering, for service, for solitude, for self-control and for showing unconditional love, etc.

Something Greater is Here: Greater than the law, or Old Testament way of relating to God, greater than the message of a prophet, which converted a people and saved a nation, greater than the most enlightened wisdom known to mankind, something greater has come in the person of Jesus Messiah. And, because He calls me as an individual, I must repent, I must respond and I must choose relationship with Him. Or else, I am more foolish than the Pharisees, the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba all put together. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm 14:1) If I have a fool's attitude regarding Jesus Messiah, I may expect devastating consequences to define my eternal destiny.

To not despair we end with greater thoughts:

Jesus came to seek and save the Lost.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

“I desire mercy not sacrifice…for I came not to call the righteous but sinners…come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 9:13 / 11:28-30) (See also I Timothy 1:15)

Something Greater Has Come—it is Jesus Messiah!