Reading
SAA Notes
The crowds had just come from singing Psalm 24 at the close of morning worship in the Temple. Jesus’ title ‘The Son of David’ is most illuminating. It means that Jesus is David’s heir, and noone disputed this fact. Jesus’ parable of the two sons always searches our heart.
SJA Notes
* Father God, thank You for our daily bread, Your word. Please write it on our hearts.
“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.”
Here again we read of the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom.
Jesus calls out the false religion of the church leaders at that time.
John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus, and he lived a lean and clean life without most of the comforts people knew. He preached a message of repentance and belief. He preached of the good news of Jesus, Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
And who believed John when he spoke of Jesus?
The tax collectors and prostitutes. Those shunned by general society, those mocked and made light of in normal conversation, those forgotten and lost and lonely.
And flipping the coin, when the leaders of the church at that time saw this, they continued to wallow in unbelief.
“For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him.”
Do we believe the gospel, trusting that the message of God’s word is true and good and absolute?
Do we believe that Jesus came to save sinners?
Do we believe that He ascended into heaven and currently sits at the right hand of God the Father?
Do we believe that God is trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Do we believe the truth of God as He is revealed in the scriptures?
Belief is so important.
Belief does not operate under the logic and algorithms of the world.
Do we believe in our God?
* Gracious God,
Please forgive us our sin, the wrongdoing that marks us every day.
We believe, please help our unbelief!
We love You Lord God – Please save and sanctify us this day and onwards.
Amen.