by Tom Greenslade

Created on: August 29, 2008

He silences the mouths of evil men.
They were always "testing" Him, trying to trip Him up, discredit Him, and ruin His popularity.
Now it is His turn.

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord'? For he says, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." If then David calls him Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:41-46)

In this simple way Jesus demonstrates a profound truth.
1. He silences the mouths of wicked men.
My favorite part of the arrest of Jesus (if it is ok to have a favorite part) is in John 18:4-6 "Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
I have heard some say that they will say this or that to Jesus at the judgment, But He silences the tongue. They won't get to be smart-aleck. John 3:18 tells us, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." There is no defense attorney because there is no defense. They are already condemned. In Matthew 7:22-23 Jesus says that, "Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
(Boom that is it! end of discussion.)

2. The Bible shows you what we all will say:
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
For we who are followers of Jesus Christ it will be glory. The lost will do it in terror.
Matthew 22:46 is a little demonstration of His ability to do this. He always was able to answer them. He silenced them in a single stroke.

3. The lesson He teaches the crowd who have been watching this: "Do not do what they do."
Actually,

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