Matthew 21:28-31 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. NKJV
The Unequivocal Affirmation Of The Heart, or, "Hooah!"
'Hooah' is of course completely different in meaning to 'Hoohah,' the latter referring to a large amount of pointless commotion and the former to a certain and most definite doing, or if you will, an unequivocal affirmation of the heart.
The word ‘Hooah’ is commonly associated with the United States Army, the actor ‘Al Puccino’ in the film ‘Scent of a Woman’ most thoroughly exemplifying its most affirmative use. Investigation into the etymology of the word ‘Hooah,’ and its derivatives in the other branches of the U.S. armed forces, are all quite interesting, indeed, the word is also associated with the armed forces of other nations as well. Even in deepest history, yes, from Mongol armies to British Redcoats, ‘Hooah’ is rooted in the cry of ‘Huzza’ and ‘Hurray,’ yes, the word ‘Hooah’ is a word found to be in use throughout history, from the secular to even the sacred!
However, one of my favourite linkages, is that the word ‘Hooah’ could refer to a three letter abbreviation, that being, 'H.U.A.' which of course means someone who has their head up their rear end! In other words, 'HUA', or ‘Hooah’ is a negative affirmation, even a comical and military acceptance of any order! Which in effect says: 'HUA' ‘You’ve got to be kidding me sir, I think you have your head up your rear end, but I’ll do it anyway’.
In summary then, the response of ‘Hooah’ to any given order, is that no matter how seemingly ludicrous the command, or outrageously costly the carrying out of it, ‘Hooah!’ It shall be done. I like that.
Indeed, our text for tonight could be summarized under that one single word, Hooah! Jesus commends to us two things here.
Up to Matthew 21:32, Jesus first of all commends and makes note of the immediate received forgiveness of what might be considered the worst of sinners, who, in their desperation and joy are seemingly taking the Kingdom of God by storm and in turn, their lives and communities, families and relationships are all being redeemed and being changed. This living redemption was impacting society in the most visible of ways; indeed, the veracity of this repentance as seen in the outworking of such redemption, was absolutely undeniable! Even so and most condemningly so, despite such certain signs of the power of the Gospel among their own communities, there was still no ‘Hooah’ from the religiously reluctant; yes, there was still no turning redemption from the religious far right of the day. In this parable then, secondly, Jesus is once again calling the religious to repentance, trying to get them to say, “Hooah! We might not have obeyed you at first, but based on all that we see, we shall at the last obey thee. Hooah!”
Some of you who have publicly had ‘YES’ on your hearts, but have lived out a ‘NO' in your hearts and life, need to most thoroughly repent if this cowardly and deceitful sin. Yes, some of you disobedient children need to begin to say ‘Hooah’ tonight. Go on! Get to it now - HOOAH!
Listen:- “Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him. (Matthew 21:31-32 NKJV)
Pray:- O great heart seer, O overseer of our souls, have mercy on the denials of our outworked lives and come encourage and promote, come praise and reward all those affirmations of our hearts, so that in the end, we ourselves with all your help will always put to shame, all the initial offences of our most disobedient of lips and legs. In Jesus name we ask it, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment