Scripture

“I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you do, for John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did.”

Observation.

The religious leaders demand to know by whose authority Jesus does things. Jesus answers them with a question: Did John’s authority come from heaven, or from people?

The religious leaders are stuck on a dilemma. If John’s authority came from God, then they will have to explain why they did not believe him. But if they say it was human, they will be mobbed by the crowd who believe he was a prophet.

Jesus says that because they refuse to heed John’s message tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of Heaven before they do.

Application

Salvation is not about believing a set of beliefs or saying a prayer. Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God, which is not a political entity as such but the people who together walk in the ways of King Jesus.

Repentance, that is turning away from our selfish ways to live God’s way, is important. We must recognise that God’s way for our life is very different from our own self-directed ways.

Jesus told the religious leaders that God would judge them because they refuse to pay attention to John the Baptist’s message. They were worse than the worst of sinners because at least some of those tax collectors and prostitutes heard John’s message and repented of their sins.

True faith, true religion, is to find out what God wants of us and then, in humble obedience, to go and do it.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to turn away from all selfishness and to obey you in all things. Amen.