Advent Day 4, I'm up for it, are you?

Matthew 21:23-32

             I'm thinking it comes down to this, are you willing or not? I mean, we all know the message and what do we do? I am also aware there is a constant conversion of hearts even within ourselves. We grow, we learn. But on a fundamental level, we know what the message is.  Is not God love? Did Jesus not give us two great commands that synthesized the ten? 

         People like the chief priests and elders in this passage and even the religious elite today analyze and make judgements based on rules they created themselves. Where is the love? 

         If we are to behave like the good son in this passage, we may be reluctant at some point, we made need further conversion of heart but when we know what we are supposed to do in our hearts, we do it. Whatever it is. Without hesitation and with enthusiasm. 

       We know God is all about love. We know those two great commandments.  We know God gave us the most astounding and tremendous gift of becoming man and sharing our humanity. This is the celebration of Christmas. This much we surely know. What is standing in our way of taking action? What celebration will we offer? What gifts will we offer God in thanksgiving? Shall we give to the church a wad of money? ( remember churches do need money to function) Or perhaps we  will donate time, money and talent? Perhaps we will make an extra effort to love, to be inclusive and forgiving.

          I'm up for it. Are you?

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of 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 after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.