Attitude and gratitude for the Message and the Messenger

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | July 24, 2023 | Matthew 22:5-6

KEY VERSE:

⁵But they paid no attention and went off-one to his field, another to his business. ⁶The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. Matthew 22:5-6 (NIV)

MESSAGE: Our devotional yesterday, explained the characters or players in the parable Jesus gave in Matthew 22:1-5. We are told in today’s text that, the invitees to the wedding feast played lightly on the King’s invitation and gave many excuses not to attend the wedding feast. They also got hold of the servants and treated them badly even to the point of killing some of them.

Now that we know who the invitees are, we are tempted to judge the Jewish people of old and those that lived in the early Apostles' days to condemn them quickly Let us not be too quick on that path but ask ourselves some very relevant questions. How do we also treat the servants of God, whom God sends to us with the message of Salvation today? How do we respond to God’s message when it is preached to us by these servants of God? Are we also careless in how we handle the messengers and the message from God?

The Jews rejected the messengers of God and their message and even killed some of the messengers. They rejected the message of salvation and killed those God sent to bring that message to them. But are we not doing the same today? Our hearts are hardened when we hear God’s word and sometimes because we do not see eye to eye with the one bringing the message. We sometimes feel like we know better than them, are on a higher social status ladder than them, and are more educated or even older than them. Often, we know the message they are bringing because we have heard it many times and therefore ignore it. These clouds our hearts to receive the message of God through them.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE

When you hear God’s word, how do you react or respond? What is the state of your heart when the message of God enters? How have you treated the servants of God who carry His invitation to you? What can you do today towards having the right attitude and gratitude for God’s servants and God's message?

PRAYER Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I did not treat your servants and your messages with reverence, and help me to accept your messengers and your message as is pleasing to you. For your dear names’ sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSING!!