Thursday October 15, 2020 - The Lamb of God Who Takes Away Our SIn

Jesus said to them, “Amen I tell you: The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, but you did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him. Even when you saw this, you did not change your mind and believe him. (Matthew 21:31b–32)

Three years prior to Jesus telling this parable, he went out to be baptized by John. John exclaimed, “Look, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John pointed to Jesus as the promised Messiah. But the chief priests and elders refused to believe it.

If they chose to believe John then their laws, their “obedience,” and their heritage would not be enough to get them into heaven. They would have to admit that they had broken the law and were not going to go to heaven. They were not willing to do that. But Jesus points out to them that John was right. John had the way of righteousness: repentance of sins.

Those same thoughts appear in you and me. At times, we forget that Jesus died for all people. He paid for every sin. Yet we see someone who has done horrible things, maybe even said or did things against God’s people or the church, and we think that God could never forgive that person. We hold to the philosophy that people never change. And we forget that in God’s eyes, we are all the same, sinners condemned to death. The only thing that sets us apart from someone else is faith and repentance. Through faith, given by the Holy Spirit, we repent of our sins and ask God to forgive us. We trust that Jesus has already forgiven us.

When you catch yourself thinking that someone doesn’t deserve to be in heaven, repent of your sin. Then go and show them Jesus’ love by telling them about his sacrifice for them. Amen

Our song for today is “ There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton

Zach Williams, Dolly Parton - There Was Jesus (Official Music Video)