Post by Woody Williams on Sept 25, 2005 7:41:01 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 21:23-32
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When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, 'By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?' Jesus said to them, 'I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?' And they argued with one another, 'If we say, "From heaven", he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?" But if we say, "Of human origin", we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We do not know.' And he said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
'What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not"; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir"; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.'
Devotional
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If you are unable to speak the truth you will crumble in the face of truth.The chief priests and elders of the people could not answer Jesus' question because they did not dare to speak the truth. Their whole case against Jesus would appear false if they told the truth.
Jesus goes on to say that those who respond to the kingdom announcement, tax collectors and prostitutes, would enter the kingdom before those who said yes to God but did not go to work in the vineyard. You cannot say "yes" with your mouth and "no" with your life and expect to reap the rewards of God's kingdom. God listens for our "yes" to God's "yes" and for our "yes" that is lived out in the world.
Prayer
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Lord, help me walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Amen
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When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, 'By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?' Jesus said to them, 'I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?' And they argued with one another, 'If we say, "From heaven", he will say to us, "Why then did you not believe him?" But if we say, "Of human origin", we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.' So they answered Jesus, 'We do not know.' And he said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
'What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not"; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir"; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.'
Devotional
----------
If you are unable to speak the truth you will crumble in the face of truth.The chief priests and elders of the people could not answer Jesus' question because they did not dare to speak the truth. Their whole case against Jesus would appear false if they told the truth.
Jesus goes on to say that those who respond to the kingdom announcement, tax collectors and prostitutes, would enter the kingdom before those who said yes to God but did not go to work in the vineyard. You cannot say "yes" with your mouth and "no" with your life and expect to reap the rewards of God's kingdom. God listens for our "yes" to God's "yes" and for our "yes" that is lived out in the world.
Prayer
-----------------
Lord, help me walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Amen