Thursday, April 14 (HOLY WEEK DEVOTIONALS: Pictures from the Battlefield)

Thursday, April 14

Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and 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 of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus stands among critics and challenges them. They don’t like what He says but they can’t escape the truth of it. There will be those who will claim to respond to a request and never act. There will be others who will initially reject a request, think about it, relent, and go do it. The request comes from the love of a father. It comes to people who are like sons to Him. So how the ask is done has no bearing on the response. The issue is whether we will act on it or not.

Claiming something does not make it true. Even Jesus’ critics recognized the fact. They recognized that the son who acted, who took steps to fulfill the request of the father, was the son who did His will. Not the son who said “yes” but did nothing. Out of concern we usually want to hold on to the idea that someone we love said “yes” at some point in their life to Jesus’ invitation. But if they never went and did anything about it, it means nothing. True repentance, the only kind that saves, is a “yes” that is proven by doing the will of the Father.

Prayer Prompts:

Lord, I praise you that you love us like we are your sons and daughters. Thank You for the opportunity You gave me when __________.

Lord, forgive me for rejecting Your invitation up to now. I repent, and desire to serve You by ________.