Today we conclude a long series from the Gospel of Matthew. We began in June and have focused on the middle of Matthew. We have learned about the demands and delights of discipleship. Today’s text is no exception—and the context is critical. The story is set in the calm before the storm—during Holy Week—between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. Despite the testing and taunting, Jesus keeps teaching. And he’s rollin’ out some of his best stuff in these final days. Religious leaders try to shut him up—but he shuts them down. They question his authority—but don’t play “Jeopardy” with Jesus—he responds with another question and they are clueless. Jesus has already literally turned over the temple tables. Now he turns over the theological tables and they are dumbfounded. Then he pounds home his point with another pointed parable.