2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Saturday, September 26
Matthew 21:28-32
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.”
“… “Which of the two did the will of his father?” …”
When we hear about the tax collectors and sinners getting into the kingdom before the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees, we cheer and say, “Way to go, Jesus!” However, when we discover that those whom we’ve determined should never enter the kingdom get in, we frown and say, “Why do they deserve it, Lord?” Sometime, the Scriptural message is pointed squarely at us.
After all, many of us consider ourselves righteous. We obey the commands of the Lord. We follow Jesus’ words. We do our best to live as good Christians. We go to church, read our Bibles, give generously, help our neighbors, and try to be faithful disciples. Then we see someone who has not been obedient, isn’t kind to others, never attends church, doesn’t even own a Bible, hoards money for selfish reasons, criticizes neighbors, and has no discernable belief system receiving the same blessings and grace of God we do, we get upset. “They don’t deserve it!” we cry. “Why do they get to go into the kingdom the same as me?”
Jesus’ teaching is sometimes hard to swallow especially when it challenges our idea of “fairness”. Thankfully, God isn’t fair. God is just. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Same God, same love, and the same kingdom awaits those who are faithful and those who are not.
Prayer: Lord, your loving grace abounds for all. When I feel as if someone doesn’t deserve Your blessedness, remind me that I too am undeserving of Your grace – yet You have given me the kingdom same as them. Amen.