Evening – Day 6
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:31 b.
Have you ever looked at someone else’s life, and in comparison, you kind of think you are better than them. Maybe you don’t quite want to admit it. I believe we all have at some point thought of ourselves as “good people.” Isn’t this really what we do. We can always find people who we think we are better than. After all, we look at people who have done bad things and think, “I’ve never done those things so I must be a better person.” Or maybe you think, “I’d never do that.” In this we set ourselves at least morally above others.
The above passage is a sobering statement by Jesus. In Matthew’s story we have a group of religious men who think of themselves as righteous and very good men. These men ask Jesus about his authority to do the things He was doing and who gave him that authority. I love His response, basically, I’ll tell you if you tell me something. He asks them about the source of John’s baptism, God or man. They were afraid to answer. So instead of answering them, He tell a parable of two men who were asked to help their father. One said no but had remorse and then obeyed. The other said yes and then didn’t go. Jesus asks which did right? They respond, the one who obeyed. Then Jesus lowers the boom, telling them that John came by the way of righteousness and yet they did not listen to him and believe, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. What an indictment.
These men thought by their own standard of righteousness, that they were better than these tax collectors and prostitutes. They didn’t see themselves as sinners in comparison to others.
Are you a good person?
Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned and fallen short. This is a reminder that we cannot place ourselves in the seat of judgment or comparison. The only standard is God’s. The question is, have I obeyed and believed Him?
Hey John,
Good to see you yesterday; I don’t think that was a chance meeting. Thanks again for this mini-series as we prepare our hearts for Easter and beyond.
Please continue to keep Kris in your prayers and let me know the first name of the young man you were helping yesterday and he will be in my prayers as well.
May God continue to bless your ministry,
Mark
PS: Who do you know that might be knowledgeable about Biblical construction? I would like to do a segment on my show from time to time.
Hi Mark,
It was awesome to run into you. I agree it was not by chance. Your son Kris has continually been on my heart and in my prayers. I pray he comes to believe in himself and see his life as God sees. God is a redeemer and restorer.
The young man you asked about is Seth. He’s an amazing kid. He just doesn’t know it or believe it. But I know God is faithful. He is working on him even though he doesn’t see it. Thank you for praying.you understand what he and his Mom are going through.
I’m not sure I understand your question about biblical construction. What do you mean by that term?
You can reply or message me on Facebook.
Blessings to you,
John