April 9, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:28-32
OBSERVATIONS
Ouch, Jesus does it again. He exposes people’s hearts, and if they were willing to hear, they would repent. Reminds me of when the prophet Nathan tells a parable to David to expose to him of his adultery and murder. In that case, David repents (2 Samuel 12).
This story shows that the concern for God is that we repent; God does not favor religious people over irreligious people, nor the other way around. He favors those who repent and do what He says. The religious leaders of the day measured people by their public position, but God measures people by their personal response to Him.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
Do we judge people by worldly standards, how they appear to us? Do we assume that church-goers are good people, while non-church-goers are not? Do we assume that Christians are favored by God over non-Christians? God sees beyond our external status to the status of our hearts.
We do not appreciate the impact of these statements. These tax collectors and prostitutes were not converting into good Christians, they were just responding to God’s conviction through John and repenting, and God honored this. This happens in the world all the time, not just in churches and among Christians; in fact it ought to happen more in churches and among Christians than it does.
To turn Jesus’ words against hyper-judgmental Christians, Terrorists and pedophiles will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you. This is the full impact of what Jesus says. Not all terrorists and pedophiles , not all tax collectors and prostitutes, but those who respond with repentance to God’s conviction.
Am I more concerned about judging people by their external status than by their heart response to God? Do I think of myself as better than others because of my position (as a Christian, as a pastor, as a good person)? How do I respond to God’s conviction?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You have this unsettling way of turning my prayers inward. Show me where I am refusing to listen, where I need to repent and do what You ask.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
It’s what you do that counts. I can say all kinds of things, offer to help everywhere, and fool everybody, including myself into thinking that I am doing what is right. But when I go and do what Jesus asks for, then I am really doing what is right. And what is Jesus asking for? What where the Old Testament people and the early church asked to do? I think Justice plays a big role. When the marginalized of society were being ignored, then God was unhappy. God has a special place in his heart for the underdog. The poor, the lame, sick, the widow with no way of supporting herself are the ones that we are asked to look out for. Even today, with our government sponsored help, we see those that can use a hand in times of trouble. And it is times like this that I need to help. Saying you will help is nice, but really helping is what counts.
I pray that I will be responsive to the needs around me. I pray that as God provides for me, that I will provide for others. I pray that my time is spent helping the underdogs in our society.
Observation:
Two sons. Both belong to the Father. Both replied to the command, one positive and didn’t follow through and one negative but changed his mind and did what the Father asked. Obedience means doing.
Application:
Jesus was talking to the audience following Him including the religious leaders. They were doing what they were to do and yet the commoners , the sinners, were accepting Christ. What is visible really isn’t. All what we see isn’t the way we see it. Christ is the ‘heart’ Inspector and He knows my response. No coverup job here. He sees all! It is what is on the inside that counts. HeartDriven.
Prayer:
Open my ears Lord and open my eyes so that daily I hear Your voice and follow it and daily see You leading and guiding me as You did with Your people of old.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain 1:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Refrain 2:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Refrain 3:
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!