Daily Devotional For Friday, January 23, 2026
Good morning Southside and we are making our way through Matthew’s Gospel and today we come to the same passage we looked at yesterday – Matthew 21:28-32:
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ (29) The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. (30) Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. (31) ‘Which of the two obeyed his father?’ They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained His meaning: ‘I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. (32) For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins” (NLT).
The parable Jesus told is about answering this question: Which son was faithful to his father? The son who initially said “NO” and then obeyed his father or the son who initially said “Yes” and then disobeyed his father? I will not repeat what we looked at yesterday, but this parable teaches two great truths:
- Anyone can come to Jesus through faith and repentance.
- Second, it is never enough to simply make promises to God or claim to believe or to recite some creed or litany. What counts is actual devotion, obedience, worship, service to others, and repentance to Jesus Christ.
Just like there were pretenders of “faith” in the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, there are pretenders of “faith” in the church today. Some can even be pastors and ministers. Even though most pastors would not know who these are, God does. It is clear that Jesus is urging anyone who is faking it to give up their charade. What is required is repentance, swallowing one’s pride, and revealing one’s deceit. This attitude and act of obedience puts one in a right position with God the Father to heed His voice and to serve others. Jesus’ point is: there is never the perfect time to get right with God the Father. If you wait for the perfect time, you find yourself waiting perfectly in hell.
Jesus’ point is that what counts are not words, but deeds; not promises, but performance. Jesus ties Israel’s religious leaders to the second son and the tax collectors and prostitutes to the first son. Ironic, isn’t it. In our day, Jesus might have said abortionists and pedophiles. In our minds, we cannot fathom that such sinners could ever come to Christ. Listen to the words of New Testament scholar J. C. Ryle:
”Let it be a settled principle in our Christianity, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely willing to receive penitent sinners.—It matters nothing what a man has been in time past. Does he repent, and come to Christ? Then old things are passed away, and all things become new.—It matters nothing how high and self-confident a man’s profession of religion may be. Does he really give up his sins? If not, his profession is abominable in God’s sight, and he himself is still under the curse. Let us take courage ourselves, if we have been great sinners hitherto. Only let us repent and believe in Christ, and there is hope. Let us encourage others to repent. Let us hold the door wide open to the very chief of sinners. Never will that word fail, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)– (Source: J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew).
Reflection Assignment: Think back over your life. Who in your lifetime did you think “impossible” to come to Christ? Why? Which categories or descriptions of certain people by their actions or behaviors do you basically write off as ever coming to Christ? Why? Think right now – who is it that the Holy Spirit is putting their names in your mind for you to pray they repent and come to salvation in Christ? Will you consistently pray they do?
Scripture To Meditate On: Luke 15:7, “There is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please forgive me when I am quick to write people off, thinking I am better. Give me a heart to pray for them, to love them and to obey You Lord in this. You want more than my promises; You want my performances to honor and obey You. I know the fields are white unto harvest and will help reap them for You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly