"Mixed reception"
When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God's way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism. (Luke 7:29, 30 NLT)
Almost every crowd Jesus taught came back with mixed reviews. One group marvels & the other group rejects him. But it's interesting to note who is doing what.
In this passage, it's "all people" & "even the tax collectors" that see God's way as the right way. But notice who is rejecting God's way for their lives. The Pharisees & religious experts are rejecting God's plan for their lives. How does an expect in religious law miss the plan of God for their lives?
This passage reveals that it's not how religious we are that guarantees our our relationship with God. It's not based on the good things we do. It's not even about the bad things we have done. It's based on Jesus & what he has done.
The question is not, do we attend church, give our money, volunteer in our community, & go on mission trips? The question is not how have we blown it with God in the past? The real question is, what have we done with Jesus? Have we accepted or rejected him & who he is for us? Does his life, death, & resurrection shaped our lives or do we? Are we embracing his plan for us or our own? Are we religious or in a relationship?
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