Repentance and Transformation: The Power of a Changed Heart
Notes
Transcript
23 When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him as he was teaching. They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I have a question for you. If you tell me the answer, I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.
25 Where did John get his authority to baptize? Did he get it from heaven or from humans?” They argued among themselves, “If we say ‘from heaven,’ he’ll say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’
26 But we can’t say ‘from humans’ because we’re afraid of the crowd, since everyone thinks John was a prophet.”
27 Then they replied, “We don’t know.” Jesus also said to them, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. Now he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’
29 “ ‘No, I don’t want to,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.
30 “The father said the same thing to the other son, who replied, ‘Yes, sir.’ But he didn’t go.
31 “Which one of these two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you.
32 For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him.
Repentance and Transformation: The Power of a Changed Heart
In Matthew 21:23-27, we see a conversation between Jesus and the religious authorities of His day. These Pharisees questioned Jesus' authority because they held positions of authority and religious knowledge. They asked to know by what authority He taught and performed miracles.
Their questioning was not motivated by an honest desire for knowledge or a desire to draw closer to God. Instead, it was a challenge—an attempt to invalidate Jesus' ministry by undermining Him, trapping Him with His own words. The Pharisees represented a system of strict religious practices and traditions that were frequently lacking of true faith and heart transformation.
We see a clash of two opposing worldviews in this confrontation: the Pharisees' reliance on external appearances and human traditions versus Jesus' message of inner transformation, repentance, and genuine faith. It is a conflict between empty religiosity and the transformational power of a surrendered heart to God.
In response to their questioning, Jesus tells a parable, a story that not only addresses their issue but also has a timeless message for all of us. He tells the story of the Parable of the Two Sons, which illustrates the heart of God's desire for every one of us: repentance, transformation, and a genuine connection with Him.
Today, we'll explore why Jesus chose this particular time to tell the parable, what it teaches us about individual responsibility and heart transformation, and how it relates to Christ's call for each of us to live lives that reflect His authority, grace, and love.
As I was studying for today, I was struck by a question that Bishop N.T. Write asked in his book Matthew for Everyone.
Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16–28 The Question about John (Matthew 21:23–32)
What should Jesus’ followers be doing today that would challenge the powers of the present world with the news that he is indeed its rightful Lord?
We live in a world where it seems that right is wrong and wrong seems right. Things that were once considered sinful and now considered to be something that is bless by God.
Paul wrote Ephesians 6:12 “12 We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.”
Going back to that question, the powers of the present world are spiritual powers. Here are some examples of those spiritual powers that are at work in the world today:
Pride and Self-Exaltation: The temptation to exalt oneself above God's authority and seek personal glory can be a spiritual power at work. It opposes humility and recognition of God's sovereignty.
Materialism and Consumerism: An obsession with material possessions and the pursuit of wealth can become spiritual powers that distract individuals from seeking God's kingdom and righteousness.
Secularism and Atheism: Ideologies that reject or deny the existence of God can influence individuals to live as if God does not matter, leading them away from faith and spirituality.
Idolatry: Worship of false gods or placing anything above God in one's heart can become a spiritual power that diverts devotion and allegiance away from the true Creator.
Injustice and Oppression: Systems and individuals who perpetrate injustice, discrimination, and oppression can be influenced by spiritual powers that oppose God's command to love one another and seek justice.
Violence and Hatred: Acts of violence and hatred, driven by anger, prejudice, or vengeance, oppose the principles of love, forgiveness, and peace that God promotes.
Deception and False Teaching: False prophets, misleading doctrines, and distorted interpretations of religious texts can lead people astray from God's truth and create spiritual confusion.
Satanic and Occult Practices: Involvement in occult practices, witchcraft, or satanic rituals opposes God's command to avoid engaging with dark forces and to seek His guidance alone.
Addictions and Bondage: Substance abuse, gambling, and other forms of addiction can exert a powerful hold on individuals, leading them away from the freedom and abundant life that God offers.
Cultural Relativism: The belief that there are no absolute moral truths and that ethics are culturally determined can lead to moral relativism, undermining the objective moral standards that God provides.
Individualism and Self-Centeredness: When people prioritize their own desires and interests above the needs of others and the call to love one's neighbor, it opposes God's command to love one another.
Paul wrote:
12 We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.
That is the context of our world today and also the world of Jesus day.
Jesus begins in verse 28 with this question “What do you think?” The pharisees had been asking him questions so he turns it around and questions them.
The story says that man has two sons. He goes to the first and says to him “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” The son said no, I don’t want to.
Have you ever had a kid be defiant and tell you no? This son said no, I don’t want to. But, later one he changed his mind and he went.
The father went to his other son and said the same thing that he said to the first son. This son said “Yes sir.” He readily responded and said he would go. But, he didn’t go.
Jesus then asks another question
Matthew 21:31 (CEB)
31 “Which one of these two did his father’s will?”
Both sons were very clear in their response to their father. The first said no, I don’t want to. The second said yes sir.
If Jesus had stopped there we might say that the first son was disobedient and didn’t do what his father asked. We might say that the second son was the obedient because he said yes sir.
But, Jesus told more than just their verbal response. He told us what they did or didn’t do. The first son changed his mind, he repented and he went and did what his father told him. The second son didn’t follow through with his respectful response of yes sir.
With the added information that Jesus provided it is easy to agree with the Pharisees that the first one did his father’s will.
Jesus drives his point about this parable after their response. Look at verses 31 and 32.
Matthew 21:31–32 (CEB)
31 Jesus said to them, “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering God’s kingdom ahead of you.
32 For John came to you on the righteous road, and you didn’t believe him. But tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Yet even after you saw this, you didn’t change your hearts and lives and you didn’t believe him.
People who have previously said no can change their minds and do God's will. According to Gordon Allport, "One's intentions for the future have more power to shape his life than the experiences of the past." People who say yes but do not obey God's will have missed the kingdom's meaning. [1 - my paraphrase]
We are accountable for our actions. The first son was initially disobedient, but he changed his mind and went and did what his father asked of him. The second said he would but didn’t do what he said he would do.
How often do we say we’ll do something and not do it? How often do we make promises but fail to live up to them?
That was the problem with the religious leaders. They often said all of the right things.
Faith always produces the righteous fruit of obedience. Israel's righteousness was not founded on faith, therefore its claims of genuine behavior was not backed up by actual obedience. Even though God attempted to drive them to jealousy via the saving faith of outcasts, who prior to their conversion were among those who openly rejected God, the Pharisees and religious leaders failed to believe in the truth that was given by John the Baptist. The conversion and faith of societies outcasts, the tax collectors and prostitutes served as an example for Israel, which convinced the Jews that they had a heart of stone and that they needed to change their ways.
We challenge the world's acceptance of sin and complacency by leading lives that are defined by ongoing repentance and transformation, thereby becoming beacons of God's grace and change.
There is a pervasive sense of complacency about moral and ethical standards in many churches and denominations today. It's possible for people to develop a callous attitude toward sin, coming to see certain activities as the norm.
When people decide to live a life that is marked by repentance and transformation, they are rejecting this complacency in an active way. They refuse to accept the current status quo, which allows for sin and moral deterioration to be tolerated.
There is a story that is told about a frog in a kettle.
Imagine a frog placed in a pot of cool water on a stove. The frog is comfortable and relaxed in the cool water, enjoying the environment. Initially, it's content.
Now, the heat is turned on, but it's turned on very gradually, so the change is subtle. The water begins to warm up slowly, but the frog doesn't notice any sudden discomfort. It continues to swim and relax, adapting to the gradual increase in temperature.
As the water temperature slowly rises, the frog's body adjusts to the changing conditions. It doesn't perceive any imminent danger because the change is so gradual. It remains complacent, thinking everything is fine.
However, the water continues to heat up, reaching a boiling point. By this time, the frog's body is so accustomed to the increasing temperature that it doesn't realize the danger it's in. It doesn't react to the critical situation until it's too late, and it's unable to jump out of the boiling water.
The concept of complacency is frequently represented by this picture. It demonstrates how people can get used to being in situations that are getting progressively worse or that are damaging to them without recognizing the need for change. Individuals are more likely to fall victim to complacency when they fail to recognize the minor adjustments in their circumstances that may pose a threat to them. They might respond in the same manner as the frog and wait until it is too late to address the fundamental problems.
Our own transformation becomes a compelling example for individuals in the context of our lives. When we genuinely repent from sin and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, the transforming power of God's grace becomes evident in our lives.
People have a natural tendency to gravitate toward those whose lives demonstrate the transformation that has been brought about by Christ. The transformation in our personality, attitudes, and behavior should serve as an enticing invitation for others to examine the prospect of making similar changes in their own lives.
A life that is defined by an ongoing commitment to transformation and repentance is fundamentally countercultural. It questions the accepted standards of society, which frequently extol the virtues of self-indulgence, consumerism, and moral relativism.
Living in such a way that goes against the grain of our culture and serves as a reminder that there is a higher standard that is based on the truth and righteousness of God. It draws attention to the disparity between the values of this world and the values that are found in God's kingdom.
By showing the world that change is possible via the way we live our lives, even in the face of deeply rooted habits, addictions, or patterns of sin, we proclaim to the world that transformation is possible.
In a world where hopelessness, pessimism, and a feeling of powerlessness can be widespread, it is especially important to spread a message of hope. Our lives are evidence that the grace of God can free a person from the shackles of sin and offer a way to start over.
The grace of God can be seen in its fullness when there is ongoing repentance and transformation. The imperfections and shortcomings of our lives are windows through which the grace of God can be seen and experienced.
Instead of trying to cover up our shortcomings, we are willing to accept them and go to God for forgiveness and the ability to grow. This procedure reveals that the grace of God is not something that can be earned, but rather that it is freely given to anybody who seeks it.
Paul addresses the theme here in the scripture passage from Philippians that was read to us earlier. Paul wrote:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Humility is one of the most important characteristics that characterize Jesus' way of thinking. He, the Son of God, humbled himself by taking on human form and voluntarily submitting to the limitations and suffering of life on earth. He did this in order to demonstrate his love for humanity. His humility is exemplified by the fact that he washed the disciples' feet and associated himself with those who were considered to be on the margins of society.
Our call is to take on the mindset of Christ, it requires us to accept and embrace humility. It's about being honest about our shortcomings, admitting that we're in need of God's grace, and putting other people ahead of ourselves. A humble attitude paves the way to greater self-awareness as well as an openness to gaining wisdom from both God and other people.
Jesus lived His entire time on earth as a perfect example of someone who put others before themselves. He made it a habit to put the needs of others ahead of his own comfort and the things he wanted. The ultimate demonstration of his selflessness was when he gave up his life on the cross for the sake of the redemption of humankind.
The call we have been given is this: to have the mind of Christ means to embrace selflessness. It requires reorienting one's perspective from one that is oriented on oneself to one that is centered on Christ and on others. It implies looking out for the interests of other people, being willing to make sacrifices for their sake, and prioritizing the needs of the community over one's own desires for personal gain.
Jesus highlighted that the heart is the starting point for any genuine transformation. He emphasized that it is not enough to follow exterior religious rituals; rather, genuine transformation must begin with a transformed heart. This is the core message of his ministry. He emphasized the necessity of showing love not only through deeds but also through one's thoughts and intentions.
Taking on Christ's way of thinking necessitates a radical transformation of our hearts. This transformation isn't just about how we seem on the outside; it goes all the way down to the essence of who we are. It means being open to the work that the Holy Spirit wants to do in us, which will renew both our minds and our hearts. It is about bringing our wants, our reasons, and our attitudes into harmony with the principles and qualities that Christ embodies.
As we conclude our time together, let us revisit N.T. Wright's important question: "What should Jesus' followers be doing today that would challenge the powers of the present world with the news that He is indeed its rightful Lord?"
We've learned that followers of Jesus are called to live authentic lives, allowing God's transformational grace to work inside us. We are to adopt Christ's perspective, which is characterized by humility, selflessness, and heart transformation. Our lives should bear witness to the fact that Jesus is not just our personal Lord, but also the Lord of all creation.
We become beacons of God's grace and agents of transformation when we challenge the powers of this world. We reject complacency because we see the risk of sin and moral decay becoming the norm. We pursue personal transformation because we believe that our transformed lives are powerful witnesses to the world. We become countercultural by remaining firm in our devotion to God's truth and righteousness.
However, our mission does not end here. It is not limited to the confines of this sanctuary or the hours of service. It pervades our daily lives, workplaces, homes, and communities. Each of us is called to actively participate in these challenges in order to have a beneficial impact on the world around us.
As we leave this sacred space, I want you to consider how you can embody the obedience and transformation that we've been confronted with. Consider how you might live a life of humility and selflessness, seeking transformation in your own heart at all times. In your contacts with others, look for opportunities to reject complacency and embrace a countercultural, Christ-centered worldview.
Let us go forth as Jesus' ambassadors, declaring through our words and actions that He is the rightful Lord of all creation. May the unshakeable truth of His Lordship challenge the powers of this world in our lives. As a community of believers, we have the potential to bring change, provide hope, and shine the light of Christ in a world in desperate need of His grace.
[1] Augsburger, M. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Matthew (Vol. 24, p. 18). Thomas Nelson Inc.