“For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” Matthew 21:32

When was the last time you changed your mind about something substantial? When was the last time you let someone of less or different status than yourself, influence the way you think? Jesus is talking to the pharisees, those super religious people, when he shames them for not seeing what the sinners saw so clearly. John the Baptist was sent by God and his message was a heavenly one. The whole exchange worries me a bit. Are there things God is doing in the world now that I’m missing or dismissing? Is there a message being proclaimed from heaven that I’m too stuck in my ways to hear? How do we protect ourselves from missing out on God’s action. In part I think it’s about humility. To always hold what you think you know loosely and be willing to listen and learn from anybody, maybe especially those on the margins of society to whom God is more likely to speak. I fear becoming a pharisee. The antidote I think, is a willingness to change one’s mind. Easier said than done.

-Pastor Travis

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