Jacob dresses in his brother's clothes and goatskin to trick a blind father into blessing him. In Matthew, tax collectors and sinners walk into a dinner with Jesus in their own clothes and get welcomed exactly as they are.

Two ways to seek a blessing: costume and con, or come as you are to the One glad to give it. Today's readings hold them side by side.

Jacob got the blessing and lost nearly everything else: home, family, twenty years, and the ability to trust an embrace. Blessings taken by scheme come with invoices. Matthew, by contrast, was sitting in the most despised seat in town when Jesus said two words, and dinner that night was full of bad company and joy.

Here is the difference the gospel makes: you never have to become Jacob to be blessed. No costume, no con. Jesus desires mercy, calls sinners by name, and forgives before the legs even work. Come to Him today in your own clothes.