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Matthew 21:31, 32 - Living Under His Lordship.

Matthew 21:31-32 (NKJV) Which of the two did 
the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The 
first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you 
that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom 
of God before you. 32 For John came to you in 
the way of righteousness, and you did not 
believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed 
him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward 
relent and believe him. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   The chief priests and elders challenged 
Jesus: "Who gave You this authority [to teach]? 
(v. 23). 
   Jesus responded not with an answer, but 
first with a brilliant question that left his 
critics paralyzed. Then He told a story about a son 
who initially said no to his father's call to 
work in the vineyard, but later changed his mind 
and went. The other son immediately agreed to go 
and work, but he never did (vv. 28-31). One said 
the correct things; the other did the right 
thing. Jesus left no doubt which is more pleasing 
to God. 
   Then came Jesus' stinging rebuke (v. 31). 
He could not have chosen a more socially 
offensive group than tax gatherers and harlots. 
   Clearly, Jesus was unimpressed with pious 
words and hollow orthodoxy; He was looking for 
action. He pointed out through His parable that 
actions speak louder than words. Anyone can say the 
right things about what he will do or what she 
believes, but God sees what we actually do. To call 
Jesus Lord is not enough; we must live under His 
lordship and do what He says. [Being Still With God 
Every Day by Henry Blackaby] 

COMMENTARY

There is more hope for publicans and sinners 
than for those who know the word of God but 
refuse to obey it. He who sees himself a sinner 
with no cloak for his sin, who knows that he is 
corrupting soul, body, and spirit before God, becomes 
alarmed lest he be eternally separated from the 
kingdom of heaven. He realizes his diseased 
condition, and seeks healing from the great Physician 
who has said, Him that cometh to Me, I will 
in no wise cast out. John 6:37. These souls 
the Lord can use as workers in His vineyard. 
COL280 

No one has ever been reclaimed from a wrong 
position by censure and reproach; but many have thus 
been driven from Christ and led to seal their 
hearts against conviction. A tender spirit, a 
gentle, winning deportment, may save the erring and 
hide a multitude of sins. The revelation of 
Christ in your own character will have a 
transforming power upon all with whom you come in 
contact. Let Christ be daily made manifest in you, 
and He will reveal through you the creative 
energy of His word"a gentle, persuasive, yet 
mighty influence to re-create other souls in the 
beauty of the Lord our God. MB129 

ILLUSTRATION

Tony Campolo - Birthday Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ozv0olqfg

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Matthew 7:21-23 - Having A Relationship With 
Jesus Is A Must! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200606-0850.html 

Matthew 7:21-23 - Knowing Jesus And Doing 
God's Will. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160502-1516.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657