PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 21:28-32
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You did not repent and believe!” (Matthew 21:32)
John called people to repent and be immersed in God’s gracious love.
The tax collectors and prostitutes knew they needed help, and did so.
But the religious leaders were confident in their own righteousness (Luke 18:9).
They had reviewed their sin lists, assessed themselves, and came out good!
According to their sin lists, tax collectors and prostitutes were the sinners.
Are religious leaders today any different, with their own sin lists?
“The way of righteousness” conveniently agrees with their own ideas.
Confident they are right and good, they point the finger at other sinners.
Claiming to have repented, many remain closed to the message of Jesus.
Jesus is “the way of righteousness”, and none of us measure up to him.
Our ‘falling short’ goes much deeper than our shallow sin lists.
Anyone who has time to judge others has not honestly faced their own sin.
God knows our hearts, and the hearts of those we call sinners.
God knows what motivates us and them, and will judge fairly and mercifully.
Lord Jesus, I admit that my way of righteousness does not compare to Yours. I trust Your way of righteousness, for me and for other sinners like me. Help us all to repent and believe!