Tuesday, July 2: “Unlikely Entrants”

Matthew 21: 31b: “Jesus said to [the chief priest and elders], ‘Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you.’“

This verse is often read as “The tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God INSTEAD of you.” No, Jesus said BEFORE. Even those who considered themselves His arch-enemies, the chief priests and elders (v. 23), had a place in the Kingdom; the Lord just had a bit more work to do in them. But He can use anything or anyone, and desires for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3: 9).