October 1, 2023

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 21:23-32

‘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. Matthew 21:28-32

How often do we give lip service to being a Disciple of Christ, but do not live it?  We live in a challenging world where our faith is being tested daily by actions done in the name of Christ, that differ from our understanding of his message. Some of those actions are being incorporated into the functions of our government. The problem is that all sides of this discussion could be writing this message. We cannot seem to find common ground in either our faith or our governance. Much of that conundrum results from forces of darkness working against us. Ephesians. 6:12 in the King James Versions describes it as For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. NRSV words it this way:

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

How do we deal with the darkness that makes us quarrel among ourselves? We need to find the things we can agree on and work together to make them happen until all the principalities and powers are overthrown by the strength of our love through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get distracted by the world’s ways and fail to do the simplest thing that will bring us back into your service.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.