Who are you with and How is it shown?
Doing the will of God is more important than knowing him, though I am not sure how you separate the two. Adhering to the form of religion, but not allowing its precepts and teachings to change how you live is time and again one of the things that Jesus seems to judge most harshly. In the Gospel of Matthew, the fundamental question is not simply whether you know God but whether you do the will of God.
In order to understand our Gospel text this morning we must start back in Matthew 21:1-11, where Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey. He was welcomed and the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (21:9). He was recognized and accepted as the one who was coming in the name of the Lord. Jesus had taught as one having authority we are told in Matthew 7:29 and not as one of the scribes. Jesus had been healing the sick, teaching about the kingdom of God, and embracing those on the outskirts of society. The people of Jerusalem must have heard about him, and yet they ask, “Who is this?” in (21:10). Then, The crowds answered: “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee” (21:11).
Our Gospel text this morning takes place the day after Jesus has cleansed the temple. Jesus had gone into the temple where he had been teaching and praying, and became infuriated over what the money-changers were doing in the temple. Jesus had turned over tables and thrown them out. Jesus has now returned to the temple and the religious leaders have come out in force to challenge this man who is upsetting the system. They want to know who he thinks he is, and by what authority he is changing things, and teaching things, and who gave him the right to do so? It is the first of three parables that directly address the hypocrisy of the leaders of the temple. For the next 6 weeks the lectionary has us in the temple.
Authority is a big deal and always has been. Who has the right to do what and when and how is a never-ending and continual question in all of society and organizations.
So, justifiably I think, they want to know by what right or what authority Jesus has to come in and upset and change the system.
The leaders in the temple today find themselves in trouble right away in the conversation because they recognize that the crowds regarded John as a prophet and that John’s authority came from heaven, and if they should deny this, the crowd may rebel against them. And, they understand, that if they recognize that John’s authority was from heaven, then why, had they has the religious leaders, chosen not believe him or his message of reform and preparation?
That is the problem with religious authority — once you recognize it, it requires a change in lifestyle and obedience. If Jesus’ message (and John’s message) were from God, then why weren’t they obeying it?
The parable that is told in today’s story at first glance may seem unrelated, but it demonstrates the importance of obeying God and not just with lip service. The first son stated that he would not obey his father and go in the field and work — but then he did go. The second son said that he would go work, but then he didn’t do it. Jesus asked, “Who did the will of his father?” The answer, “The one who did the work”.
Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders-you saw and knew by whose authority John was doing his work and you chose to not believe and let it change your behavior, but the prostitutes and tax-collectors — they let it change their behavior.
That is the question today, “Who are you with and how does it show?” “How are you letting the Word of God - the words you hear each week, change your behavior?”
Our Collect today states “Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure…”
We have agency and responsibility in our walk with God. The verb used in the Collect is running, “Running to obtain your promises”. What in our lives reflect us running to obtain God’s promises?
And as we do the will of God and obtain His promises, we become partakers of heavenly treasure. What are you doing to show that you are a partaker of God’s grace? Does your life reflect an urgency to do those things that God has called us to?
We don’t know why the first son in the parable initially rejected the Father’s request to go to work, but he eventually decided to go and do the work. This parable can demonstrate some of the patterns of our lives with God. No matter where we come from, no matter where we are in life or what may have prevented us previously, the invitation remains for us join God in what God is doing. You start from where you are. You start today.
The status quo is a seductive stumbler. For the religious leaders in the temple in Jesus’ day, Jesus coming in and challenging their claims to power and position — their identity — was threatening. They had fallen into complacency and most likely a pride in their positions and authority. Holding on to what was — what they knew — blinded them to the work that God was calling them to at that time. They who had dedicated their lives to God’s service, literally could not accept the teaching and practices they claimed to embrace.
Later on in Matthew, Matthew 23:1-3, Jesus points out their problem to them. He tells the crowds and the disciples that are gathered, “The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.'”
Harsh criticism. “Do whatever they teach you, but do not do as they do…” Do we practice what we teach? Are we being seduced by the status quo? Of what was? Are our words empty?
The past is enticing. There is certainty and comfort in the past. Even if it was limited and dysfunctional, our pasts are comforting.
But as people of faith, we are called to hold the tension of the past with its comfort and certainty, with the uncertainty and discomfort of the future. God’s future.
As a people individually and as a parish and community of faith we need to ask ourselves how have we let our past determine our future, and how does doing the same old thing because we have always done it that way cut us off from new life giving possibilities? What needs holding on to and what needs letting go of is a constant work of life.
We are a fickle people and we quickly lose sight of God’s faithfulness in times of uncertainty. We become nervous and anxious and act out. In Exodus today the Israelites, whom God has just led miraculously out of slavery in Egypt become nervous and anxious and began grumbling because there is no water. God provided water and they named the place Massah and Meribah, in recognition of the question, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
This is a good question for us today. “Is the Lord among us or not?” If so, how do we show it? How might this awareness be reflected among us and in us and through us?
Philippians tells us how to be in the world. Reflecting God’s love with humility regarding others better than ourselves.
“For God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
So let’s do so. With vision for tomorrow. Without fear, without complaining, without forgetting that God is indeed among us.
Amen.
In order to understand our Gospel text this morning we must start back in Matthew 21:1-11, where Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey. He was welcomed and the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (21:9). He was recognized and accepted as the one who was coming in the name of the Lord. Jesus had taught as one having authority we are told in Matthew 7:29 and not as one of the scribes. Jesus had been healing the sick, teaching about the kingdom of God, and embracing those on the outskirts of society. The people of Jerusalem must have heard about him, and yet they ask, “Who is this?” in (21:10). Then, The crowds answered: “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee” (21:11).
Our Gospel text this morning takes place the day after Jesus has cleansed the temple. Jesus had gone into the temple where he had been teaching and praying, and became infuriated over what the money-changers were doing in the temple. Jesus had turned over tables and thrown them out. Jesus has now returned to the temple and the religious leaders have come out in force to challenge this man who is upsetting the system. They want to know who he thinks he is, and by what authority he is changing things, and teaching things, and who gave him the right to do so? It is the first of three parables that directly address the hypocrisy of the leaders of the temple. For the next 6 weeks the lectionary has us in the temple.
Authority is a big deal and always has been. Who has the right to do what and when and how is a never-ending and continual question in all of society and organizations.
So, justifiably I think, they want to know by what right or what authority Jesus has to come in and upset and change the system.
The leaders in the temple today find themselves in trouble right away in the conversation because they recognize that the crowds regarded John as a prophet and that John’s authority came from heaven, and if they should deny this, the crowd may rebel against them. And, they understand, that if they recognize that John’s authority was from heaven, then why, had they has the religious leaders, chosen not believe him or his message of reform and preparation?
That is the problem with religious authority — once you recognize it, it requires a change in lifestyle and obedience. If Jesus’ message (and John’s message) were from God, then why weren’t they obeying it?
The parable that is told in today’s story at first glance may seem unrelated, but it demonstrates the importance of obeying God and not just with lip service. The first son stated that he would not obey his father and go in the field and work — but then he did go. The second son said that he would go work, but then he didn’t do it. Jesus asked, “Who did the will of his father?” The answer, “The one who did the work”.
Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders-you saw and knew by whose authority John was doing his work and you chose to not believe and let it change your behavior, but the prostitutes and tax-collectors — they let it change their behavior.
That is the question today, “Who are you with and how does it show?” “How are you letting the Word of God - the words you hear each week, change your behavior?”
Our Collect today states “Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure…”
We have agency and responsibility in our walk with God. The verb used in the Collect is running, “Running to obtain your promises”. What in our lives reflect us running to obtain God’s promises?
And as we do the will of God and obtain His promises, we become partakers of heavenly treasure. What are you doing to show that you are a partaker of God’s grace? Does your life reflect an urgency to do those things that God has called us to?
We don’t know why the first son in the parable initially rejected the Father’s request to go to work, but he eventually decided to go and do the work. This parable can demonstrate some of the patterns of our lives with God. No matter where we come from, no matter where we are in life or what may have prevented us previously, the invitation remains for us join God in what God is doing. You start from where you are. You start today.
The status quo is a seductive stumbler. For the religious leaders in the temple in Jesus’ day, Jesus coming in and challenging their claims to power and position — their identity — was threatening. They had fallen into complacency and most likely a pride in their positions and authority. Holding on to what was — what they knew — blinded them to the work that God was calling them to at that time. They who had dedicated their lives to God’s service, literally could not accept the teaching and practices they claimed to embrace.
Later on in Matthew, Matthew 23:1-3, Jesus points out their problem to them. He tells the crowds and the disciples that are gathered, “The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.'”
Harsh criticism. “Do whatever they teach you, but do not do as they do…” Do we practice what we teach? Are we being seduced by the status quo? Of what was? Are our words empty?
The past is enticing. There is certainty and comfort in the past. Even if it was limited and dysfunctional, our pasts are comforting.
But as people of faith, we are called to hold the tension of the past with its comfort and certainty, with the uncertainty and discomfort of the future. God’s future.
As a people individually and as a parish and community of faith we need to ask ourselves how have we let our past determine our future, and how does doing the same old thing because we have always done it that way cut us off from new life giving possibilities? What needs holding on to and what needs letting go of is a constant work of life.
We are a fickle people and we quickly lose sight of God’s faithfulness in times of uncertainty. We become nervous and anxious and act out. In Exodus today the Israelites, whom God has just led miraculously out of slavery in Egypt become nervous and anxious and began grumbling because there is no water. God provided water and they named the place Massah and Meribah, in recognition of the question, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
This is a good question for us today. “Is the Lord among us or not?” If so, how do we show it? How might this awareness be reflected among us and in us and through us?
Philippians tells us how to be in the world. Reflecting God’s love with humility regarding others better than ourselves.
“For God is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
So let’s do so. With vision for tomorrow. Without fear, without complaining, without forgetting that God is indeed among us.
Amen.