Matthew 21:28-32 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 21:28-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 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.' Verse 29He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. Verse 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Verse 31Which 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. Verse 32For 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.
Devotion
Is there anything more irritating than people who say they will do something and then don’t follow through? I don’t know about you, but when I deal with people who do that, I feel angry and disappointed.
And is there anything more surprising than facing resistance and even opposition and then finding that your opponent has suddenly become your ally and supporter?
The Bible is filled with the stories of people who resisted the path God called them to follow, the work God called them to do. Strangely enough, they usually became God’s most faithful of servants.
When we feel resistance within us to those subtle and not-so-subtle promptings of God, God is able to accept our doubts and complaints. And it’s because he accepts them that we are much more likely to say, “Not my will but yours be done.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know our deepest desires. We place those desires and our lives in your hands. Amen.