Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:21-32.
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?” 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. 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?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 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.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 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. 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.”
Jesus tells us of two sons, asked by their father to go work in his field. One said yes but did not go. The other refused but eventually went. He uses this as an example to us of obedience to God’s call on our lives.
God has asked us to work for His kingdom here on earth. Saying yes and accepting the task He has for us is important, but that alone won’t accomplish what is needed. Agreement is necessary but action is essential.
God wants us to go and do. The movement of the Holy Spirit in us must energize us to act in His name. Let His call on your life move you, that you may be His face and love to others.
Loving Lord, we are slow to hear and even slower to act. Help us to hear Your invitation to caring action in our world. Amen.