“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.” Matthew 21:31 ESV
Reflection: what does it mean for you to be an obedient worker in the kingdom of God?
Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed several events, things unfolding that I can only explain as miraculous. As the direct hand of God. But, not to go into any specifics of any of the events, I have noticed a characteristic of most of these events that is very consistent. They often rely on the obedience of God’s people to do something. They rely on the obedience of His children. Most events involve one or multiple people doing something that is perhaps an inconvenience or even work for them, but somehow they feel led to do it. And, in addition, they could not have known that their action would have such significance and meaning to me or my family. Only God knowns those details. Which means to me, they have felt an urge to say or do something, led by the Holy Spirit.
And they have been obedient doing it.
And we get to glorify God when we see it, because it is His will and His orchestration, but relying on His obedient children. Jesus gives a parable on obedience in Matthew 21, about two sons. Let’s read. ““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.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. “Which of the two did the will of his father?”” Matthew 21:28-31a ESV.
What is so amazing about the parables that Jesus gives is that we all get it. They are so relatable, and so timeless. And in this situation, we see the difference between obedience and hypocrisy. And the story of the two sons hits home, if you will, thinking of whether we are a Christian in name, doing the right things outwardly to look good for others, or whether we are truly obedient inwardly, to God. Doing things for Him that might be inconvenient, perhaps even a lot of work for us, but we know deep down it is what we have been asked to do. We might never get recognition or even a “thanks” for it; we may even have to forgo ourselves to do something for someone else. To do something that has a true cost to us.
A friend of ours was led to move his family to the Middle East, to bring the gospel of Christ and minister to people in mostly Muslim countries. A risky move in many ways, as we know, and perhaps a big sacrifice in the eyes of the world. But when reading their stories, what they are experiencing as a result of their obedience, they are truly blessed. Not by worldly wealth, but by eternal wealth. Jesus said ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 ESV
Most of us will not be asked to move our families to another country. But, are we obedient inwardly, to God, in the small things? What we feel an urge, led to, by God, to do something we know is good and right? Like making a difficult phone call to encourage someone? Going out of our way to help someone in need? Or whatever it is. Not to get praise by man. But to do the will of our Father in Heaven. Jesus finished the parable saying, “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. 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 21:31-32 ESV.
A final point to consider. Notice the parallel Jesus makes of the religious leaders, who were supposed to be leading the people into the kingdom of God, but were not, and the “sinners”. Who then will lead the way into the kingdom? He says “the tax collectors and prostitutes” who believed in Him, and followed Him. God uses those who believe in Him and are obedient to His will. Which means He can and will use us, if we are obedient to His will.