Friday, September 25, 2026

This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.

[Jesus said to the religious leaders who were challenging His authority] “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They [the religious leaders] said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John [the Baptist] 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 when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32)

“Oh, you just got schooled,” was a phrase I often heard when playing basketball. It meant that someone had driven past you and scored in your face, or something like that. The implication was that the guy (or girl) on offense had taught you a lesson. They took you to school, so to speak. I was talking about this phrase with my 16-year-old son, who informed me, “Dad, people don’t say that anymore.” “Okay, so what do they say when someone beats you bad on offense?” I asked. “They say you got ‘cooked’ or ‘broke.’” Well, all right then. These days I’m getting schooled by my 16-year-old.

Whatever the generational slang, we all know the feeling. And that’s what’s happening in this scene with Jesus and the religious leaders. The Lord is taking them to school. They had challenged His authority. “Who gave you this authority?” they demanded. Now, it’s said that there is no such thing as a dumb question. But if you’ve been reading Matthew’s Gospel, you know that this is an exception. By now it’s obvious where Jesus’ authority comes from. But the religious leaders refuse to be taught by Jesus. So, rather than letting their social status be “broke,” and their pride get “cooked,” they had Him crucified.

It was all part of God’s plan, though. Jesus was offering Himself as our Substitute, to deliver us from God’s righteous wrath over our prideful rebellion. There’s more, because Jesus was more than just our Substitute. He is our exemplar (which is more than an example). As our exemplar, Jesus provides the pattern into which the Holy Spirit now forms us. The Bible says: “Although [Jesus] was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Did you hear that? Jesus learned. He let Himself get schooled for all of us. The all-knowing, eternal Son of God humbled Himself to become teachable (see Luke 2:52), so that you and I could be like Him.

Often I feel embarrassed when my ignorance (or disobedience) is exposed. But with Jesus, there is no shame. Like ex-prostitutes and former thieving tax collectors, He loves us enough to make us teachable. Being teachable does not degrade you. Being teachable does not mean that you uncritically accept everything you hear. It doesn’t mean you’re gullible. It just means that you’re not God. But you were made for God, to be His obedient son, His daughter. And He loves you and wants to work with you and teach you everything He knows. And all it’ll take is an eternity to do it.

WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, give me a teachable spirit so that I may learn from You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you recently learned something important unexpectedly?
2. From whom is it difficult for you to learn—a child, a spouse, a stranger, an expert, an enemy?
3. While we learn from many sources and people, Jesus says we only have One Teacher (see Matthew 23:8-10). What has He been teaching you lately?

Today's Readings:

Isaiah 37-38
Romans 5

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