Saturday, December 16, 2023

Matthew 21:28-32 

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 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 [chief priests and elders]. 32 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 when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

Sometimes, maybe often, the Kingdom of God does not look like what we expect. Sometimes it looks just the opposite of our religious “sensibilities.” Are we willing enough, humble enough, to perceive and accept what God is doing? The chief priests and elders had a hard time with Jesus, because He welcomed those who were outside their definition of “acceptable.” O God, have mercy on us, that we may walk in the way of righteousness, in trust and obedience, in the way of Your Kingdom, no matter what it looks like.

Prayer:

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,

   nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

   and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

   and there be no herd in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

   I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;

   He makes my feet like the deer’s;

   He makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

LORD, GOD of our salvation, You are our strength. You make us steady and strong as we follow You. We pray that You will strengthen those who are living for You in the Buddhist world. We pray for local believers and for cross-cultural workers to receive Your strength and joy. Please help them rejoice even when they do not see fruit of their work. When their labor feels futile in their own sight, please fill them with the joy of Your salvation and strengthen their hands and feet for each day. We worship You, LORD! Amen.