On the outskirts of New York City stood a little old shack. The place was dilapidated due to sheer neglect. The windows were cracked, the shingles were rotting, and the garden was overgrown with weeds. However, there were some beautiful trees which shaded the house, and added a charm to the landscape. Old John, the owner, a withered and lonely character, never moved very far from his fireside, and his bent form could be seen in the garden.
In the big bustling city, Mr. Parker, a millionaire, was making plans to build a new home. As he drove around looking for a suitable location, he came to the very spot where Old John lived and was greatly charmed with the setting and cedar. The view was simply wonderful, and this at once settled his future doubts. He told his agent to make inquiry as to the possibility of purchasing the property.
This was indeed a happy surprise to old John, and not without some amusement to the agent. The old man chuckled to himself as he felt some measure of pride at the thought that a millionaire wanted his house. So for the next week or two John got very busy; from old cupboards in cellars, hammers, brushes, paints, etc, all appeared. Many of the broken windows were either replaced or patched, the holes in the roof he made water-tight, and many other repairs were put into effect.
But what was the bewilderment on his face when the agent again appeared on the scene, wondering if perhaps he had come to the wrong house. This pleased John immensely, who immediately proceeded to display something of his handywork done during the previous days. Putting his hand on John’s shoulder, the agent at last began to talk business.
“Mr. Brooks, I am afraid you have misunderstood me. You’ve been laboring under a false impression. Mr. Parker doesn’t want your old shack. Why, do you think he would live here? Never! What he wants is the ground.”
Yes, poor old John had been mistaken. He had labored sincerely but unsuccessfully because of a false idea. Have you, dear reader, been merely repairing and patching in vain delusion that God will accept that as a means of eternal blessing? Our salvation required a perfect work, and by grace God has provided it outside of all human aid. Listen to the Lord as He becomes the sinner’s surety and Saviour, and cries in triumph on that cross of shame: “It is finished!” John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30).
If He has died instead of the guilty, if He has borne your judgment and mine at the hands of a holy God, if He has finished all the work of salvation, what remains to be done? The only answer is, “Nothing!” To add to a finished work would only spoil it. On the cross the Lord Jesus cried triumphantly: “It is finished!” And all that you need to do by faith in Christ is to enter into the full enjoyment of the fruits of that completed work.
ML-12/18/1977