4th Sunday of Advent (December 21). Tax collectors and prostitutes

Prepare to Listen.  Light all 4 candles on the Advent wreath.  Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.
 
Prayerfully Read Matthew 21:28-32
28“What do you think?  A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’  29He answered, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went.  30The father went to the second and said the same, and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.  31Which 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.  32For 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.
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
Jesus asked, “What do you think?” And told a story.  What do you think about the story?
 
In the last week of his life on earth Jesus daily taught in the Temple.  The chief priests and the elders of the people (the Temple hierarchy) demanded that he tell them where his authority to teach came from.  He responded with a question of his own: “Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?”[1]  They couldn’t answer, therefore Jesus refused to tell them where his authority came from.  Instead, he asked them to think, telling a parable about two sons that emphasized the need to change their minds, that is, repent.
 
The first son refused to work as his father’s requested but changed his mind and did the work.  He represents the tax collectors and prostitutes, those the Temple hierarchy rejected and assumed would be excluded from God’s Kingdom.  The second son who agreed to obey but didn’t, represents the chief priests and elders, who were so sure of their salvation and inclusion in the Kingdom.  They were shocked, perhaps even outraged to hear Jesus say that tax collectors and prostitutes would enter God’s kingdom before them.
 
Who would you be shocked by if they beat you into the kingdom?  With whom do you most identify—the first or the second son?  What do you need to do to change?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, forgive me when I complacently think I’m in and reject those who aren’t like me.  Help me remain open to the same inclusivity that you practiced.  Amen.
 
Live Obediently.  Include the despised and rejected.  Jesus did.
[1] This story begins in v. 23.  If you can, take the time to read it.