Citizens of the Kingdom

Matthew 21:31

"Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you."

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We have traced the life of Jesus from his birth, through his healing and teaching ministry, up to the point of his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We have already seen that his vision of the kingdom of God was in stark contrast to the commonly held beliefs of the time. His teaching was new, in a sense, but it resonated in people's hearts because it was actually the fulfilling of God's laws and covenants of the past. But, the people who liked his teaching the least turned out to be the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees. These men had traded God's commandments in favor of their own short list of human traditions, upon which they thought God would approve them. Because of Jesus' bold and blunt critique of them as wolves in sheep's clothing, they were already looking for an opportunity to have him arrested and put to death.

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Matthew 21 is a climax of sorts. It is the peak of Jesus' popularity in Judea, as well as the spark that would eventually lead to a blazing conclusion. The Parables of the Two Sons and the Tenants represent more of Jesus' radically different teaching, made in response to the questioning of the chief priests about His authority. In verses 25-27, we get a glimpse into what these religious leaders were thinking, and we learn that their supposedly God-given convictions were really motivated by popularity. So, Jesus tells these parables to make abundantly clear that those who enter God's kingdom are those who bear its fruit, rather than those who merely serve themselves.

What is this fruit that Jesus says is the final criteria for citizenship in the kingdom? The fig tree didn't have it, a foreshadowing figure for the following discourse (21:19). The second son didn't have it, even though he had said he would obey (21:30). The wicked tenants didn't have it, but instead killed the servants who asked for it, even the master's son (21:34-39). So, what is this fruit that is so vitally important?

Faith in Jesus.

While the chapter does not give this answer outright, there are many clues that point toward this conclusion. The main clue, I think, is the celebration of the triumphal entry. Those who had faith that Jesus was truly the "Son of David," that is, the long-expected messiah of God, were those whom Jesus acclaimed in contrast to the doubting Pharisees. When the disciples asked about the fig tree, Jesus commends faith, without doubt, as the answer to their question. When Jesus says that the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom before the chief priests, it is not because of their righteous lifestyle. It is because of their faith in Him. This faith does bring about a changed life, but we must start with the faith that brings it about. This is the fruit that proves one is a child of the kingdom.

Connecting those who bear fruit to those who accept the rejected cornerstone, Jesus concludes:

"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him." (21:43-44)