“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted?” (Matthew 21:28-31)
On the exterior a young man seemed to be a good son. He was wealthy; he followed the Law of Moses; and he was sincerely interested in the Teacher from Nazareth. “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” he asked. But when Jesus told him to get rid of everything that hindered him and follow the Master, the rich young ruler would not do it. Once someone in a crowd asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)
Believe! Believe what? Believe He is: Messiah, King, Savior, Lord, the Way, the Truth, the Life… Everything! This was the explanation of the parable of the two sons: “John the Baptist came to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. That is why they are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31-32) Jesus is the Way of righteousness. “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Repent and make the paths straight because the kingdom of God is at hand!” John’s message was Jesus. The religious and the prominent looked very much like obedient sons, but they did not believe John’s message. On the other hand, the sinners, who definitely would have been labeled ‘disobedient’, entered the kingdom by believing the Good News.
The message is the same today: “Look to Christ;” “Call on Christ;” “Trust in Christ;” “Follow Christ;” “Abide in Christ.” Keith Getty and Stuart Townend wrote a great anthem for all who say “yes” to Jesus.
IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground – firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace…
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease…
My Comforter, my All in All; Here in the love of Christ I stand.In Christ alone, who took on flesh; fullness of God in helpless Babe.
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
‘Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sin on Him was laid, here in the death of Christ I live.There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again.
And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me.
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.No guilt in life, no fear in death. This is the power of Christ in me.
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand.
‘Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.