Matthew 21: 31- 32
Truly I say to you that the tax gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax gatherers and harlots did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
This is Jesus speaking to a pious collection of church leaders about the message of John the Baptist. Imagine their outrage at being told that the dregs of society would get into the Kingdom of God before them. In that day, the tax collectors were about the lowest form of humanity. They were actually Jews who collected taxes for the Romans using any means they could devise. Jesus’ use of the word “harlot” also indicated a group of people absolutely despised by pious Jews, that of the prostitute. And though despised, the prostitutes were kept in business as were the tax gatherers. Both of these groups of people represent the lowest, most profane and most reviled people in that society. Yet Jesus told the church leaders and elders that these low lives were going to get into the Kingdom before them. Even after the religious leaders witnessed the belief and faithfulness of the non-celebrated members of society, they still did not turn and repent. The Amplified version of the Bible says it this way, “… and you, even when you saw that, did not afterward change your minds and believe him [adhere to, trust in, and rely on what he told you”.
Who are the most reviled members of our society today? And are they going to make it into heaven before us because they are willing to believe Jesus? I certainly hope not. It is just as easy today as it was in Jesus’ day to get so inculcated in church doctrine and religious culture that we fail to listen to Jesus. We have all witnessed or experienced someone who read a passage of the Bible and experiences great discomfort or disagreement. What are we to do when the Word of God disagrees with our long held belief or with what our church teaches?
This is what I have learned from God. His Word is truth and His truth brings life. It isn’t always comfortable, but it is always ultimate truth. I have found that at times I have warred with certain passages of the Bible only to find out later, once I had yielded myself to understanding and to God, that I had misunderstood the passage all along. One passage, in particular, was saying exactly what I wanted to hear, but I took it for the exact opposite meaning. Once I yielded myself to God, His wisdom and His teaching, the truth became so clear that it is amazing to me to this day that I couldn’t see it from the first.
When you learn to trust God and trust His Word, you will find life and truth. You won’t be one of the sanctimonious churchgoers who is left waiting outside the pearly gates while all the disagreeable (but believing) members of society parade past. You will be one of the one’s about which God says, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Be very careful who you look down your nose at. Be very careful about whom you try to keep out of church. Believe in the “Good News” that Jesus died to bring us and enter into His gates; enter into His glory.