February 1

I see that the people did not question Jesus because the people wanted truth. I see that the people questioned Jesus because truth threatened the control the people had. Authority shows how the trust we have can be exposed.

When Jesus enters the temple in Matthew 21 Jesus does not ask for permission. Jesus teaches with authority that cannot be borrowed or voted on. I notice that the chief priests and the elders feel the authority away. The chief priests and the elders demand credentials asking, “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (ESV). The chief priests and the elders are not looking for clarity. The chief priests and the elders are protecting their position.

Jesus answers with a question that cuts to the heart. Jesus asks about the baptism of John. Was the baptism of John, from heaven or from man? Was God. Was the baptism of John a religious performance? The problem for the people is not lack of evidence. The problem for the people is fear. If the people admit that the baptism of John was from heaven the people expose their unbelief. If the people deny that the baptism of John was, from heaven the people fear the crowd. So the people choose the lie. The people say, “We do not know.” I see the people choose the lie. I notice that silence becomes the shield of silence.

Jesus refuses to play games, with people who already know the truth but will not bow to the truth. Jesus does not deny Jesus authority. Jesus shows the rebellion of people, against the truth.

Then Jesus tells a parable that feels close, to home. I see one son say no and then obey later. I see the other son say yes and never move. The religious leaders see the answer at once. I think obedience matters more, than a promise. Jesus makes the point clear when Jesus says, “Truly I say to you the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you” (ESV). Why does Jesus say that? Because the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed John. The tax collectors and the prostitutes repented. The tax collectors and the prostitutes changed their minds. Changed their direction. I saw the religious leaders watch the repentance happen in front of the leaders. I saw the religious leaders still refuse to believe.

I think Jesus is not praising the sin. I think Jesus is exposing the pride. I see the open sinners knew the open sinners needed the mercy. I notice the religious sinners thought the religious sinners already had the mercy.

The warning gets stronger. Jesus tells another parable, about a vineyard. God is the owner of the vineyard. Israel is the vineyard. The servants are the prophets. The son is Jesus Himself. Every time God sends truth the truth is rejected the truth is beaten the truth is killed. When the Son arrives the tenants do not repent. The tenants plot murder. The tenants want the blessings but the tenants do not have the authority of the owner.

I notice that Jesus lets the leaders pronounce their judgment. The leaders say the tenants deserve destruction and replacement. Jesus agrees. Then Jesus quotes Scripture. Jesus says, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (ESV). The leaders thought the leaders were building God’s kingdom. In reality the leaders were rejecting the foundation God chose.

Jesus says it plain. The kingdom of God will leave those who do not bear fruit and will go to those who bear fruit. The kingdom of God is not, about ethnicity. The kingdom of God is not about church titles. The kingdom of God is about repentance, about faith and, about obedience that comes from a changed heart.

I have learned that the stone does not move to fit the builders. The builders have to line up with the stone. Jesus says anyone who falls on the stone will be broken and anyone the stone falls on will be crushed. There is no ground, with Christ. Christ. Breaks a person in repentance. Judges a person, in rejection.

The passage presses us today because the passage asks questions. Do we obey God?. Do we only look like we obey God? Do we submit to the authority of Christ?. Do we question Christ when Christ disrupts our comfort? Are we bearing fruit?. Are we just occupying the space.

Jesus is not impressed by the titles, the attendance or the nice answers. Jesus looks for surrendered hearts and obedient lives. The kingdom belongs to the people who repent and believe, not to the people who only say they belong.

The religious leaders feared the crowd more, than God. The repentant feared God more, than reputation. I feel that difference still decides everything.

The takeaway is simple and piercing. God is still asking who truly does the Father’s will. Tomorrow’s passage will not get easier, because truth never does when it confronts the heart.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” ~ Matthew 21:42-44

Exodus 13:17-15:18
Matthew 21:23-46
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 6:16-19

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