Wingham United Church

September 27, 2026

Having a Good Attitude

Philippians 2:1-13

Matthew 21:23-32

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          Allow me to set the stage for our story this morning. Yesterday, Jesus rode into town on a donkey to the cheers and ‘Hallelujahs’ of an admiring crowd. People were calling him the Son of David or the One who comes in the name of the Lord, and laying their cloaks on the road to pave the way for his arrival. He then went to the temple, accused the temple leaders of turning his Father’s House from a House of Prayer into a den of thieves, overturned the tables of the money-changers, made an impromptu whip and drove everyone out of the temple.

          Today, he’s back and he is teaching the people about God and the Kingdom of Heaven, things their usual leaders and teachers had never told them. The leading priests and elders, the same ones he had accused the day before, are understandably concerned. How dare this vagrant from Galilee and his rag-tag group of followers waltz into their temple and take over. So, they ask him: “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” In other words, to quote a well-known musical, “Who the [heck] do you think you are?

          In spite of the tone or intent in which it is asked, it is a legitimate question, but it paints Jesus into a bit corner. He could, quite justifiably, tell them that it is by his own authority that he does these things, but they do not recognize his authority because they do not see him for who he is. He could say that it is by God’s authority, but the priests are also empowered by God’s authority. Since the time of Moses, the priests have had ultimate authority and responsibility to operating the place of worship, first in the tabernacle, now in the temple – THIS TEMPLE! This is their domain.

          Any answer Jesus gives will be rejected and only fuel the temple leaders’ rage and case against him. So, since they have given him a question that there is no safe answer for, he poses a similar conundrum to them. “Where did John’s authority to baptize come from?”

          They whisper to each other trying to decide how they should answer the question, but they can come up with nothing that won’t put them in an awkward position. Notice, they aren’t discussing which is the right answer. They are only trying to find an answer that fits their agenda, protects their safety and well-being. Since they cannot think of an answer that will do this, they refuse to answer the question at all. Jesus responds in kind. If they won’t his question, he won’t answer theirs.

          “But what do you think about this?” I like the way Jesus segues into his parable, as though he is asking their opinion, seeking their wisdom. We have two sons, one who says he will do his father’s will, but doesn’t, and one who says he won’t, but does. Which one is the good son?

          The temple leaders don’t even realize the trap they have walked into. Obviously, the one who does the father’s will is the good son. Talk is cheap. They don’t immediately realize that Jesus is accusing them of being the ones who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

          In this case, the Father’s will is for people to listen to and learn from Jesus, those who, like Mary in another gospel story, sit at Jesus’ feet and absorb his wisdom instead of standing around with arms crossed conspiring to protect their positions of power and authority. 

          If only the leaders of the temple had possessed the same attitude that Jesus had, as Paul encourages his readers in Philippi to seek, our whole gospel may have had a different outcome. The temple leaders in Jerusalem depended on the authority that went with their positions in the temple, handed down through generations as a birthright, and used it almost like a weapon to protect themselves and control others. That is often the case when authority is inherited or assumed without the need to earn it. It begins to be treated as a right instead of a privilege, which leads to it being abused.

          Jesus, on the other hand, actually held the ultimate authority, but did not use it against anyone. Instead of trying to direct and control people with power, he chose to inspire them with gentleness, kindness, and grace. Paul urges the people in the church in Philippi to follow Jesus’ example. Cultivate hearts that are tender and compassionate. Work together with one mind and purpose. Don’t try to impress others with your own importance but put the needs of others ahead of your own.

          Now let’s think about that for a minute. We spoke last week of the sacrifices Paul made to share the gospel with people. He is writing this letter from prison, after all. Now, he is pointing out that his sacrifices are insignificant compared to what Christ gave up to bring us the Good News about God’s grace and love. Paul encourages us to “have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” He then goes on to emphasize the magnitude of that.

                           6 Though he was God,
                               he did not think of equality with God
                               as something to cling to.
                           7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
                               he took the humble position of a slave
                               and was born as a human being.
                           When he appeared in human form,
                           8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
                               and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

          From a position higher than anyone could ever even imagine, let alone attain, to the lowest possible place in society. None of us can ever rise so high, and I pray that none of us will ever be taken down so low. That is the standard to which we are called as followers of Christ. He demonstrated that in a very real, tangible way on the night before his arrest, the evening we call Maundy Thursday, when he knelt down to wash his disciples’ feet.

          When you really stop and contemplate that truth, it overwhelms you. How can you compare the sacrifices Jesus asks of us in His service to what he gave up for us? Jesus asks us for a little bit of time to help someone in need, perhaps help serve a meal to low-income families or make a pot of coffee to encourage fellowship after church; a little bit more money on the offering plate so your community of faith can focus on helping people instead of paying the bills; a few more Sunday mornings to support your congregation; a visit to a lonely neighbour. Every day, there is something you could do to ease someone else’s burdens, but we tell ourselves that we are too busy or too tired. The truth is that we are too busy looking after our own concerns to tend to the needs of others. But Paul tells us, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

          Now, of course, we do this. Not as often or consistently as we should, but we do. However, what I have noticed is that when we do make the effort, a small sacrifice of time or energy to help another, how many of us can resist the urge to make sure others know about it. In this, I confess, I’m as guilty as anyone. We want recognition for our good deeds, for all the things we do for our church and community. But that doesn't quite fit with the same attitude as Jesus Christ. Jesus did great things that we only know about because he did them for people to see, but not for recognition or reward. Jesus was setting the example for others to follow. When we work for Jesus (and remember that he has told us that whenever we do something to help another, we do it for him,) we should be satisfied in the knowledge that Jesus is aware of what we have done.

          At the beginning of this passage, Paul asks us some questions that we should not be too quick to look past.

• Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?

• Any comfort from his love?

• Any fellowship together in the Spirit?

• Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

          Last week, Paul encouraged us to live as “Citizens of Heaven.” This is what we gain when we do: encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tender and compassionate hearts. This is what it means to have an attitude the same as Jesus.

          Our reading ends with an interesting statement: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Some might call in conscience. I believe it’s the Holy Spirit. Whatever the source, I think we are regularly prompted to do the things Jesus would do as much as we are able. God plants the idea in our mind that we should do something. Too often, we somehow talk ourselves out of it. We come up with feeble excuses to dismiss the inspiration, and leave good things undone. Like the younger son in our parable, we begin with good intentions but fail to follow through.

          What has the Father asked of you this past week that you have left undone? What is the Spirit asking you to do next that you can do with the same attitude of Jesus Christ, who lived and died so that you could have the opportunity to line as citizens of Heaven?

Rev. Colin Snyder, MDiv