Matters of the Heart
"Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him." (Mt 28:31-32)
People hate prophets because they speak the truth, they expose sin, they threaten peoples' kingdoms. Prophets enjoy authority from God and are commissioned to tear down and build. Those, however, who do give an ear and do have sincere hearts will see the blessing and believe the message preached and enjoy the life that Christ offers through the preaching of the Gospel. People come up with all kinds of excuses, but sadly they only harm themselves. Jesus overcame the world and gave us His victory. We ought to be enjoying it not fighting it.
The human heart is a very delicate thing. Jesus gives the reason why so many would not enter the Kingdom of God. It's not only because they heard John's preaching and did not accept it, but because they saw tax collectors (corrupt officials) and harlots (immoral people) believing and entering in and yet did not relent. Hardening of the human heart is such an offense to God, but more so it is the reason so many deprive themselves of the most valuable thing in life.
Jesus proves that the issue is neither righteousness nor its lack, but people's stubbornness in relenting and believing as simple-minded children.
Examining our hearts to verify whether we are in the faith is an extremely critical thing (2 Corinthians 13:5). Some people are picky or the judging type (I do not mean judgemental), others seem indifferent, careless or easy going. No matter the character type, only those who eventually respond positively to God's call are the ones who enter through the narrow way or through the gate, which is Jesus himself.
We can be as learned and sophisticated as we like. We can be as complex and mystical as we can be, but when all these things take away from the sincerity of the heart, then it's best to go back to having and being nothing, than losing it all.
Monks revert to monastic life because they find Jesus there. Others follow God's call into dangerous missions risking their lives for the call. No matter where we find Jesus, we ought to do all that we can to follow Him from and into the very depths of our hearts. He truly does deserve it all. Blessings!
