Matthew 21:31
"Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.”
The condominium community where we live in is composed of very diverse people. But I cannot really tell if there are “bad elements” living in one of those units, but until now, we really haven’t experienced police coming in to nab a druglord or an estafa queen. But if some of them do live in one of those units, then it is a fact of life. In this world, good and bad people live in “perfect harmony”. However, Jesus is saying that compared to some religious people of His time, these people tagged as “bad” would even enter the Kingdom ahead of them. For most of them have come to Him for forgiveness, and eventually mended their ways.
What the Lord was saying was that there aren’t going to be any more special mountains you need to go to. There are no special anointed places you need to seek out. No special religions that can take to themselves as being the true religion. There are no great religious figures you need to bless you. True worship will be of the heart – accepting Jesus as our Lord.
Jesus is present with every one of His people. He is in their hearts. He is in their mouths. He is in their lives. Christ Himself builds His Church, and He flocks His people as He wills. He calls us one, by one, by one. And as for our flock of gathering, we just need to find out where the Lord would have us to be. So, would you allow tax collectors and prostitutes to enter the kingdom before you? Or worse, they enter it and you do not!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I may not be a tax collector or a prostitute but I know that I've done wrong through my thoughts, my actions, and the things that I've said, sometimes by mistake and sometimes on purpose. I have gone my own way and not put you at the center of my life. I am very sorry and ask that you please forgive me. Please help me to follow you more closely every day and live a life which gives glory back to you. I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen +
Remember your mercies, O Lord.
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