Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 21:28-46

Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.


Reading:  
Matthew 21 : 28 - 46




Scripture:

     ²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
   ²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
   ³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
   ³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
   “The first,” they answered.

  Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.




Observation:

First off: I know that it is not one scripture. I know that it is a passage.  But this is what the Lord is speaking to me.


Jesus is speaking to the chief priests and the elders, who are once again scrutinizing everything Jesus says, trying to find a way to bring charges against him, and worse.


Application:


This passage always made me feel guilty as a new believer, because rather than having a heavenly perspective, I of course, had my OWN perspective.  All I could think about was  when my mother would ask either my sister or I to do something, I would reply immediately with "yes, Mom," and Stephanie would snarl or pout or do something else to convey that she would absolutely NOT help.  My mother once commented that even though that was my sister's original reaction, she usually came around and did whatever was asked of her.  Whereas I, for all of my wanting to be obedient to my mother, would agree, but often times would forget because I was lazy and would put it off too long.

Now I can see this passage in a different light, and I really feel like God is once again confirming and affirming that work that He is calling my husband and I to do in a small, spiritually dark community.  He is quietly speaking to my heart that just because the people are and have been loudly against the Gospel does not mean that they will always be. This just confirms what He has revealed to my husband, that our church plant will be comprised of mostly brand new believers, drawn in by His grace.


Prayer:

Lord, you keep confirming what you want to do. (And, we KEEP questioning.  We will probably question you for a long time.  I mean... it's US.  You saw how we treated each other on Saturday.  Oy.)
I am grateful that you are not annoyed that we keep checking with you.  Please keep us right on your path. Let us not get ahead of you, or to the left or to the right of you.  We believe that your plan involves a place for us to live. We believe, so therefore we are asking for wisdom as we start looking at places, that you would give us wisdom while we are looking.  Thank you for the cross.  Thank you for the heart of our little boy that filled up a box with toys to send to the children who didn't have anything when we told him our WorldVision plan to give ducks needy families.  You are so much more than I could ever comprehend, and I adore you.  Thank you, thank you. I love you.