Invitation to Repentance

This morning I felt like I should read from Matthew 21:23-32 NIV:

[23] "Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 

[24] Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [25] John's baptism---where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' [26] But if we say, 'Of human origin'---we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 

[27] So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.” 

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 

[28] “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' [29] “ 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. [30] “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. [31] “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” 

“The first,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32] For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

As I was reading these verses I was reminded of something Bill Johnson said in a recent teaching.  He always asks himself the questions that Jesus asks, and that approach seems wise to me.  In this case Jesus is asking questions of the chief priests and elders after they asked Him questions.  I find that is often the case, Jesus asks questions in response to being asked questions, and they aren't usually because He doesn't understand, its because He is getting to the deeper issue at hand, and oftentimes it allows Him to dodge traps.

In this case, it seems they are trying to pin Jesus down trying to get Him to admit that He is the Messiah.  Instead He uncovers their unbelief, and unwillingness to embrace true repentance, something that is required for us to receive salvation.  The way of righteousness that John preached was one of repentance and forgiveness for sins - see Luke 3:3.  The chief priests and elders had effectively rejected John's message, and Jesus knew that and exposed that reality here.

In my looking at those same questions that Jesus asked, I must reflect upon my own response to the Word of the Lord.  

Do I respond immediately?

Do I change the way I am thinking, or do I agree that is sounds good, but remain unchanged?

If I agree with the Word, do I change my behavior and actions to match my thinking?

Am I someone who quickly says yes, and then forgets what I said yes to?

Am I a better follower of Jesus in my mind than in my actions?

Do I consider myself beyond the basics of the Gospel, and choose to listen only to certain Words?

As I look at my life, I find that my responses too often are more verbal than action, and my follow-through is poor.  I find that often I don't act like the Word I am hearing is from the Lord, and responding accordingly.  I have lots of good intentions, but my willingness to change my life is minimal.  Oh Lord, help me and forgive me!

Lord, You are the Messiah, the Son of God and Your Words are life!  Help me to fully embrace that which You are saying to me!  Help me to embrace the invitation to repentance, for that was certainly John's message and invitation.

Amen!