Yes Means Yes. No Means No.

Authority is often considered a dirty word in our vocabulary - something to be resented or ignored. "How dare she tell me what to do! Who does she think she is, anyway?" Unless it's our own personal authority or an authority that protects us or gives us our rights, we tend to react against or subtly go around any authority we don't like.

With this thought in mind, consider Christ's authority in your life as you read Matthew 21: 23-32 and Philippians 2: 1-13.

Does Jesus' authority come from God? Is it so central to your life that you listen, love, and obey? Do you ache to be more Christ-like in all you think, say, and do?

Jesus' parable of the two sons - one who says "Heck no, I won't go" to his father and then changes his mind and heads out to the vineyard and one who says dutifully but hypocritically "Yes, I'll go work as you ask, Father" and then doesn't - puts us in the catbird seat to look at our own behavior. Are we defensive and reactive and resentful when told what to do? What can change our minds after our initial negative reaction?

Or do we work the system with the "right and appropriate" words so that we appear obedient and faithful on the surface? Do we show up for worship to get credit for our presence and then ignore Jesus' call to go forth and serve and care for others for the rest of the week?

As Paul says about following Christ in Philippians: Live in responsive obedience. Redouble your efforts. Be energetic, reverent, and sensitive. (abbreviation of Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of Philippians 2 in The Message). Live your lives with oneness so that your yes really means yes. Live so that your actions are in accord with your words. In this integrity of your being, you are aligned with Christ that God might transform you from within.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Shelley