October 1, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 21:23-32

Daily Lectionary: 2 Chronicles 32:1-22, Colossians 1:1-23

For John came to you in the way of righteousness…the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. (Matthew 21:32a)

In the name of Jesus, Amen. Authority is the right to do or say something within your vocations. Humans have no true authority unless it is given to them. All authority in heaven and earth belongs to God. God was not given dominion and power over heaven and earth; it is His by right as God and Creator. Authority is God’s alone to give. Parents have authority to parent from God. Pastor’s have authority from God through the Christian congregation. 

The chief priests and elders of the people taught that all authority comes from God. So, they questioned Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” We cannot look into their hearts like Jesus, but their question was also motivated by pride and jealousy. The religious leaders often acted as if their authority was their own not from God. 

John the Baptist’s authority to say and do what he did, as the forerunner of Jesus, was from God. God’s Word bestowed to John the divine right to preach and baptize. Jesus’ question to the chief priests and elders was to call them to repentance and to search the scriptures about John and Himself. Sadly, instead of searching the authoritative scriptures they discussed Jesus’ question among themselves. In themselves they would not discover the truth of John’s baptism, that it was from God, nor see and believe that Jesus was God in the flesh.

The son who repented (changed his mind) is the one who did the father’s will. The chief priests and the elders prided themselves in doing God’s will in their words and works. However, they refused the work of faith, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Faith is God’s work within us. Repentance is also God’s work within us. Faith and repentance are the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. 

John preached the righteousness of Jesus; that Jesus would take our sins and give His life in our place. John called sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus. Sinners who gladly heard this preaching and were baptized were made sons of the kingdom of God!

Through the authority of God’s Word and Baptism, faith and repentance have been worked in you. The kingdom of God is yours! You are the first son with Jesus. Through Him you have done the Father’s will. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God   

   and renew a right spirit within me. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation   

  and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:10, 12)

-Pastor Preston Paul is pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, WI.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.