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Matthew 21:23 He went into the Temple area; and as he was teaching, the head cohanim and the elders of the people approached him and demanded, “What s’mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? And who gave you this s’mikhah?” 24 Yeshua answered, “I too will ask you a question. If you answer it, then I will tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things. 25 The immersion of Yochanan — where did it come from? From Heaven or from a human source?” They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From a human source,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard Yochanan as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Yeshua, “We don’t know.” And he replied, “Then I won’t tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things.
28 “But give me your opinion: a man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I don’t want to’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they replied. “That’s right!” Yeshua said to them. “I tell you that the tax-collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you! 32 For Yochanan came to you showing the path to righteousness, and you wouldn’t trust him. The tax-collectors and prostitutes trusted him; but you, even after you saw this, didn’t change your minds later and trust him.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Most folks in the community where I live can pick out my car from a mile away. It's the only 4-runner in town with a ton of stickers, many of them now worn off. One of the stickers we used to have said, "Question Authority."
On the face of it, this gospel reading seems to be about authority. The religious leaders challenge Jesus' right to teach and preach, particularly in the Temple. The real issue isn't about authority. It's about the extent of God's grace. Jesus offended his listeners when he pointed out that those who are viewed as immoral or outsiders seemed to understand repentance better than those who were religious insiders.
What I find interesting in this passage is Jesus' comment that sinners are "going into the kingdom of God ahead of you." He doesn't say, "instead of you." Sometimes our understanding of God's love is way too small. Jesus welcomed all kinds of sinners--"freaks" and outsiders. There is grace enough for everyone and room for all of us in the kingdom.
Heavenly Father, there is a wideness in your mercy. Empty us of our pride, judgments and prejudices, that we might be instruments of your peace, love and welcome in our hurting world. Amen.
Sandy Van Zyl, '88
ELCA Pastor serving United Congregational Church (UCC) Butte, Mont.
Matthew 21:23 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?"
24 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.
25 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?'
26 But if we say, "Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet."
27 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.
28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
29 He answered, "I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.
30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir'; but he did not go.
31 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.
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 after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (New Revised Standard Version)
Most folks in the community where I live can pick out my car from a mile away. It's the only 4-runner in town with a ton of stickers, many of them now worn off. One of the stickers we used to have said, "Question Authority."
On the face of it, this gospel reading seems to be about authority. The religious leaders challenge Jesus' right to teach and preach, particularly in the Temple. The real issue isn't about authority. It's about the extent of God's grace. Jesus offended his listeners when he pointed out that those who are viewed as immoral or outsiders seemed to understand repentance better than those who were religious insiders.
What I find interesting in this passage is Jesus' comment that sinners are "going into the kingdom of God ahead of you." He doesn't say, "instead of you." Sometimes our understanding of God's love is way too small. Jesus welcomed all kinds of sinners--"freaks" and outsiders. There is grace enough for everyone and room for all of us in the kingdom.
Heavenly Father, there is a wideness in your mercy. Empty us of our pride, judgments and prejudices, that we might be instruments of your peace, love and welcome in our hurting world. Amen.
Sandy Van Zyl, '88
ELCA Pastor serving United Congregational Church (UCC) Butte, Mont.
Matthew 21:23 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?"
24 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.
25 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?'
26 But if we say, "Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet."
27 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.
28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
29 He answered, "I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.
30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir'; but he did not go.
31 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.
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 after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
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Telephone: (651)641-3456-
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