 |
 |
Devotions Archive
Archive:
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
RewardsTuesday, December 15, 2009
Matthew 21:28-32 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Sometimes I feel privileged and self-righteous. I am in control. Life is something I can rein in or allow to run riot. Nothing gets in the way. And of course, I'll never die. I call this "self-confidence." It's more like hubris, though, an if-possible-daily process of forgetting that I'm not God. How many times have I felt this way? So many many times. I appreciate so much my childhood and family, how empowered I was to live life well, go for the gusto, to experiment and be creative, to succeed. What I am learning over the years - through suffering, failure, empathy and pain - is that knowing the limits of my confidence is as important as the confidence itself. Jesus wanted to enlighten his listeners in the temple. He wanted them to see their weakness, to surrender themselves into the strength of God's love. They just wouldn't do it. They said they would do the work in the vineyard, but they just wouldn't do it. They rested on their gifts and their laurels, they wore smug on their faces as they lounged around in the temple. Perhaps I am doing an injustice to the Pharisees. But I know my own tendencies. I am not proud to be so proud. And I am grateful for every time God chooses not to turn his back on me, but instead turns me back toward Him. Lord, you hear the cries of the poor. Hear my cry, oh Lord. The poor will be radiant with joy when you save them. Save me, oh Lord. You are close to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Let me take refuge in you, Lord, without guilt and without shame. (Psalm 34) |
A few days earlier Jesus had said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24).