Matthew 21.23–32
‘Change your outlook and believe’
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus invites his hearers to a change of heart, a complete re-orientation of their lives – to change their outlook and believe.
This invitation is present in today’s passage from Matthew, which – after a stand-off with the religious leaders about the source of Jesus’ authority and then the parable of the two sons, concludes with Jesus contrasting the professedly religious and the outcasts.
Jesus says: ‘For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe’ (Matthew 21:32)
In this, the hearers are drawn back to the case of the unusual character of John the Baptist, who we read about earlier in Matthew chapter 3. John prepared the way for Jesus by calling the people to repentance and baptism.
The word repentance can be problematic for the modern ear, because it often causes us to feel regret and sorrow. To be fair, the kind of radical change that Jesus calls us to does, in all likelihood, involve feeling some contrition and regret for our previous attitudes and actions. However, the use of the word repentance in English translations of the Bible perhaps fails to fully capture the meaning of the underpinning Greek term metanoia. In contrast to repentance and those connotations of ruefully looking backwards, metanoia conveys a kind of galvanising momentum forwards – a complete re-orientation of mind, heart and direction. It is the movement of grace – of one turning away from something, in order to turn towards something else, something better (see ‘Metanoia: The Shape of the Christian Life’ by Brother John of Taizé for more).
This is what both John and Jesus wanted their hearers to grasp – to repent is not a call to be covered forevermore in feelings of guilt and shame, rather it’s a call to re-turn and re-orient ourselves towards God, and in doing so, to be galvanised by a new and life-changing momentum.
It’s good to be reminded of this today, because we’re preparing the way for Iris’ baptism. John combined the call to repent and be baptised because, in baptism, we are re-orienting ourselves towards God. Here are three ways I invite you to consider this as we welcome and baptise Iris.
First, look to the sign of water as a symbol of new life and of cleansing with forgiveness, conveying the promise of God’s enduring faithfulness to those who love Him.
Second, look to the sign of the baptismal candle as a symbol of God’s light. Jesus said: ‘I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). The candle conveys the promise of Christ’s guiding light throughout life.
And finally, look to the promise of the Holy Spirit. John said: ‘I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire’ (Matthew 3:11) Today, Iris receives the beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit.
To Iris’ parents, Joshua and Sophie: be sure to tell Iris, as she grows, of these profound blessings that she receives this day
To those of you here who have been baptised: remember the profession made and the gift that you have received.
And to anyone who is witnessing these things for the first time, hear that beckoning call of John the Baptiser about this Jesus Christ – God who came to be with us, who calls you by name and who longs for you to know Him.
Amen.