Devotion • July 2
Today's Scripture
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. (NRSV)
Reflection
Kierkegaard said, “Jesus wants followers, not admirers.”
After Jesus’ authority was questioned, Jesus told the chief priests and elders in the temple this parable about a man who had two sons. He sent his older son to work in the vineyard, but the son refused to go, then later changed his mind and headed to the fields. Not knowing this, the father sent his second son to do the work his older brother refused to do. The son said he would go, then changed his mind and never set foot in the fields.
When Jesus asked the chief priests who did the will of his father, they answered “The first.” But Jesus set them straight. Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom before they will. Why? Because those that seemed most faithful — these religious leaders — were long on words and short on deeds.
I’d like to think that I always show up, but it is not always the case. Thankfully, grace abounds. I worship regularly, sing the songs, and say the words — but I don’t always live out what I said and sang. Thankfully, grace abounds.
This parable reminds me that if I truly follow Jesus then I must live out my faith, every day: loving, showing compassion, and welcoming all I encounter — indeed, showing up and through all my actions reflecting the love of Jesus.
John Buchanan, preaching on this text, said, “Faith begins when we decide that Jesus Christ is authoritative in our life, and we show up for the work in the vineyard.”
There is much work to do — individually, collectively, and as a church family. It’s time to truly love each other. It’s time to show up and follow Jesus.
Prayer
I am here, Lord — ready to toil in the vineyards. May your grace and steadfast love shine through as I put my faith into action so that in everything I do God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Written by Marc Miller, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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