Thursday, October 8, 2026

Matthew 22:5-7 

5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.  

Jesus told the parable in a way people would immediately understand. Any earthly king would have responded exactly in that way. Such behavior was treasonous and rebellious to the power of the king. 

It would also have been obvious to his listeners that he was condemning the religious leaders of his day. The system they had put into place centered around the temple and those who ran it; it was a system that worked so well they didn’t even really need God anymore. That system was of more value to them than what God was saying to them through Jesus. 

The parable names the predicament we’re also in. Our sin makes us believe that we already have something better-- a life of material wealth and/or power over others—than what God is inviting us to. But it is all illusion. Our true nature is only going to find peace when we stop turning our hearts away from God. 

– Pr. Paul  

Holy Spirit, every week at worship we confess yet another way our hearts have not aligned with your loving will for us. Thank you for your forgiveness that you never withhold. Thank you for promising not to give up on us. Amen.