You Better Start Listening

Scripture: "What do you think? A man had two sons ..." Matthew 21:28a

Observation: Jesus has just refused to answer the Pharisees about his authority. The very next thing he does is present almost two chapters of parables, as a dialogue with "you". And "you" is ... the Pharisees. In other words, while he didn't answer their question, he is absolutely prepared to pour into them with his time and words.

We know how that will end: Jesus offends them, so they try to ask questions to trap him, and eventually the get angry. And this is EXACTLY how everyone today reacts as well.

Application: When Jesus starts pouring into someone, they better watch out. It means Jesus has already decided not to engage with us on 'our terms' and is now outlining his terms. And that means Jesus is about to offend us, and we'll have to figure out how to respond to that. A bad response is to try to find an "out" - to question Jesus, God, and his word, in order to find a loophole, and eventually to just get angry and disengage. A good response would be to listen, intake the truth from Jesus, determine how and where in our lives he is trying to correct, and to then take that correction.

Over the last two days, Jesus is on me about my frustration with others. He is laying frustrations at my feet to see how I'll respond, and I'm responding ... terribly. I have been angry for 72 hours straight, which of course hurts only me. I have been stressed heading into the holidays, and lost the joy of the family time. Again, this only hurts me. It was so bad that yesterday I did the devotional reading, and then couldn't even dial back my internal anger long enough to sit down to write. I know Jesus is thumping me in the forehead, saying "hello, Esko ... you gonna listen to me yet?!"

Prayer: Yes, Jesus, I am going to listen to you. Thank you for investing time in me this week - for loving me SO much that you would actually take time to teach me, to work with me, to improve me. I know I'm not there yet! I am easily frustrated, quick to anger, long in judgment, and short in patience. I acknowledge these, and I see how they hurt me this week. Please forgive me for my sins, and aid me in continuing to grow in my heart so that I may be a patient and joyful peacemaker. Amen.