Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A Most Agreeable Child

Today's Text: Matthew 21:28-32

Profound. With crystal clear simplicity Jesus brings truth up from the bottom of the pile of human deception. Lent asks for careful self-examination.  This parable functions like a long needle piercing us to take a biopsy of our motivations.

Eddie Haskell developed the vocabulary and manners to manipulate the adults in his world.  His friends saw through the lies.  The adult egos stroked and soothed by his compliments preferred to believe in the facade.  But enter Eddie's head.  What did Eddie think about himself?  What if we find Eddie tendencies influencing our relationships?

The parable centers on the question of obedience.  Many times in Christian conversation we hear someone ask something like, "...but doesn't God look at our hearts and care more about whether we love him than how perfectly we obey him?"  It depends.

The Father may not be concerned with how perfectly the sons pruned the vines. However, the parable implies that the Father prefers rebellious words and grudging obedience to agreeable words and rebellious actions.  In Isaiah, God says "the people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."  James asks us what good it is to just "claim" faith without obedient deeds to back our claim.

In relationships with God and people each one of us must ask, "In what ways do I try to maintain favor with affectionate words and hope to avoid the consequences of disobedience?"

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Azalee Tatum 3-9-2010:

Obedience has been the theme of my thoughts today. I enjoy your comments, Ron. I was studying hymns and their history. One of them is Trust and Obey. In 1886 Daniel Towner was leading the music during one of Moody's preaching campaigns. During the service a young man stood up and testified, "I am not quite -- but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey." Daniel Towner sent the words to his friend John Sammis, a Presbyterian pastor. Sammis used the words and wrote Trust and Obey. Verse one is about our daily walk in life. Verse 2 is during the difficult times in life. Verse 3 our total submission. Verse 4 is following God's call for ouor life. I am copying the song with my writing.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go -
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no ther way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

Ron, you put icing on my day. Thank you.

ronjohnsjr said...

Azalee, this comment is such a blessing. Current generations may not connect with this hymn, but Trust and Obey was very formative for me. I remember its powerful lyric coming through its simple melody in the hesitant singing voice of my mother. Her very act of singing it to me proved her example of trusting God. Thanks for this memory.