We have all gotten in trouble or been confronted for doing something wrong at some point. In those situations, we can be tempted to say what the other person wants to hear so the moment will end. We are being asked to change our behavior, but we throw out a hasty apology or confession without any real heart change. A true apology will lead to different actions in the future, not a few empty words in the moment.
If we are not careful, we can take the same approach to religion. Jesus warns against empty religious words when some religious leaders confront Him. A few days before His crucifixion, they question what authority He has in His teaching and actions. He responds by asking whether John’s baptism was from heaven or from man, but they fail to answer. Jesus continues this confrontation with a short parable in Matthew 21:23-32, making it clear that belonging to God requires obedient action, not just religious words.
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before 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 when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.” – Matthew 21:23-32
- The kingdom of God is ruled by God
The foundation of obedience to God will be understanding how we relate to God. The Bible makes it clear that God is not an elected leader who gets His power from people. He has all authority as our King, and we obey Him as citizens in His kingdom.
- Entrance into the kingdom is a response
In the parable, the father makes his instructions clear to his sons. God has also made it clear that He gives us instruction so that we can have a relationship with Him. Becoming a citizen of God’s kingdom is dependent on properly responding to Christ’s love and sacrifice in faith and repentance.
- Kingdom citizens communicate their decision with body language
Entering God’s kingdom is the beginning of a new life of holiness, not an excuse to continue living in disobedience. Just as one son responded correctly, we do not obey God simply by acknowledging instruction but by acting in faith. The way we live makes it clear whether we actually belong to God.
Jesus makes it clear that He cares much more about having our hearts than our words. True obedience requires humble, repentant body language, not empty lip service.
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