Matthew 21:32 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Matthew 21:32

Comments

The Pharisees saw people converted. They heard the preaching of John and of Christ, and saw lives changed and people filled with joy. They saw that, and it did not move them, did not touch their hearts. Maybe they had a relative, and saw a great change in that person, but they refused to let it affect them. That person could have been the most hostile of men and become gentle and kind, but they were not going to follow them into the kingdom. Wouldn’t that be awful? Pride kept them out of the kingdom, because to come in, they would have to lose their reputation among the people as the foremost righteous people in the land. They would have to admit that it was not real. Although that reputation was a sham and worthless, they would not let go of it.John came to you Pharisees and scribes and leaders of the Jewish nation, in the way of righteousness. Unlike you who are full of pretence and a show of uprightness, he had deep integrity in his heart, and what he taught was said in sincerity and truth. He showed you how a man should live before God, but you would have none of it. His lifestyle was consistent with his message and set a powerful example before you, but you would not listen. You would not accept him as a prophet, or respond to his message, or humble yourselves before God. You were like the second son in the parable who saw what was wrong and the great change in the first son, but continued with a pretence of compliance towards his father. John told you that, just because you were born Jews, it did not mean you were not in the kingdom of God. You Pharisees hated that; you hated being told you needed to repent.

Application

Is this true of us? Do we have no belief in a holy God? We must know him, if we are to have life in the soul. Unless he changes my life I am lost. Don’t you believe in a relational God? Then you will continue to walk in darkness and earn terror at the end. You must have regrets for what you have done. You need to make your first prayer a request to feel your shame. You are bankrupt, morally, spiritually, but if you haven’t got them money to buy from the Lord, come and receive a free forgiveness. This is the good news of the gospel. Pray for reverence towards God, sincerity. Come to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. God is always ready to pardon. He will take all your sin away, give you power to change, enable you to understand, to pray. As time goes by, nobody will be able to tell you it was a great mistake – you know better than that. The human race is fallen, all need forgiveness. Christ is come, and in due time he went to Calvary. Then repent, regret your sin; regret being the ruler of your own life. Believe in him; repent of sin; yield yourself to him. Say, ‘If I can be forgiven, you will be my Lord’ Most people are like this first son to begin with. They reject the Lord, and only go in to the kingdom later. Tragically, the second son never went in. What is the situation with you? Have you said, ‘I believe’, but never really done so?

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Matthew 21:32 Commentary and Bible Study