NT in One Year: Mathew 21:23-46
31 “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. 32 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.
Part of the understanding Reformed doctrine is understanding how God's attributes work together and exist in perfection and equality with each other. Sometimes, we see Jesus' love on display. sometimes, we see his knowledge and wisdom, and sometimes, his power and holiness. Here, we have the proverbial fire and brimstone Jesus, preaching his future wrath upon belief and sin in full force.
Jesus eases into the discussion with the Chief Priests with a parable, immediately turning the tables and asserting that they are the aggregator of the story, and they are the ones making the fatal error. If it is not harsh enough the unbelief, something the scribes and Chief priest were notorious for, was so prevalent that prostitutes would enter the kingdom of God ahead of them, he goes on to make their destruction clear.
"43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”" (Mathew 21:43-44)
Daily Application:
There are countless times that Jesus puts his love on full display, times when he is merciful and abundantly gracious in conversation. And there are times when his mercy and love coincide with his just anger and wrath, and if not wrath, then a severe warning. Jesus preached and warned about the destruction and wrath that awaits unbelief. Let us heed it, and go out and do the same. Because when the time comes for God's wrath to be poured out, the time for preaching and belief is over. When God's wrath finally falls, it crushes.
S.D.G.
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