Believe in Jesus

Matthew 21:23-32 Read the New Testament in a Year: Romans 1:1-17 Jesus says, ‘If you have faith and do not doubt… it will be done’ (v.21). The answer is to ‘believe… believe… believe’ (vv.22,25,32). This is the one word that holds together the three otherwise seemingly disparate passages. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death Jesus says, ‘If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer’ (v.22). ‘If you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles… Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God’ (vv.21–22). Demonstrate your faith by your actions The fig tree does not do what it is supposed to do – bear fruit (vv.18–20). The second son in the parable does not do what he is supposed to do – obey his father’s instructions (vv.28–31). Similarly, the religious leaders do not do what they are supposed to do – believe in Jesus.Rather than put their faith in Jesus, they question Jesus’ authority and ask him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? … And who gave you this authority?’ (v.23). Jesus answers with a question about the origin of John’s baptism, which shows that the religious leaders have also failed to trust John the Baptist. They discuss between themselves, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?”’ (v.25).The religious leaders’ faith is all about ideas and discussions, and so they miss the person that faith is all about: Jesus. Enter the kingdom of God by faith Jesus contrasts the religious leaders who do not believe with the tax collectors and prostitutes who ‘repent and believe’ (v.32). The tax collectors and prostitutes were seen as the lowest of the low (‘crooks and prostitutes’, v.32), and yet Jesus said that because many of them had believed in him, they were entering the kingdom of God first. Have you noticed how often seemingly ‘upright’ people seem uninterested in Jesus? They simply do not see any need. On the other hand, I have often been astonished by the openness and spiritual hunger of those in prison and ex-offenders. It is through going into the prisons that I have realised why Jesus loved to spend his time with the marginalised. They are the ones who are often most responsive to Jesus. No one is beyond hope. Even if the past has been full of wrongdoing, nothing you have thought or said or done puts you beyond the reach of entering the kingdom of God. Like the first son in the parable, all that is needed is a change of heart and mind and to do what the father says (v.29). Only repent and believe in Jesus.]]>