Post by Woody Williams on Sept 28, 2008 6:42:27 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 21:23-32
----------
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
----------
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