Honesty

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. 

The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." (Matthew 21:28-32)

We all like honesty. We respect people who keep their word.  Without honesty there can be no trust.  The other son said “yes,” but lied to his father.  The first son was honest, but after further consideration changed his mind and did the father’s will – to work in the vineyard.  

Do we like tax collectors and prostitutes?  Curious question, but Jesus did.  He preferred them to the chief priests and the elders who showed little mercy or fellowship.  They had standards for righteousness, and those who did not meet those standards were disregarded.  Tax collectors and prostitutes were sinners, and we know what Jesus thought of sinners.  He did not judge them.  He showed them mercy.  He did not condemn them.

Jesus was an honest man. He likely knew many of the proverbs such as “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who are truthful, his delight.” Or, “Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment.”  Or, “The justice of the honest makes their way straight, but by their wickedness the wicked fall.”  There are many more.

Do we have lying or truthful lips?  What sort of lips have our leaders?  Our fates depend on how we and they answer these questions.

Deacon David Pierce