Matthew 12:28-34 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 12:28-34 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Verse 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. Verse 30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Verse 31Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Verse 32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Verse 33"Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. Verse 34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Devotion
When my grandson was two, he wanted to do what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it. His parents, of course, loved him too much to let him. One day as his mother insisted on bedtime, he turned on her and shouted, “You’re not the boss of me!” My daughter Naomi quietly replied, “Yes, I am; it’s time for bed.”
“You’re not the boss of us!” is exactly what the chief priests, scribes and elders said to Jesus. They used big words and civil tongues, but underneath was the self-centered arrogance of an angry two-year-old. “By what authority?” they asked. They meant, “You’re not the boss of me!”
We aren’t much different. In our own ways, we challenge Jesus’ authority again and again. But it never works. The truth is that Jesus is indeed “the boss of me.” And quietly, again and again, he will let me know. Thank God.
Prayer
Lord, forgive us our sin. We want to be the boss. We know we aren’t. Remind us, Lord, and forgive us. Amen.