No preacher was ever less disposed for controversy than the Son of God, yet none were ever so incisive in their handling of contentious critics as He. And no wonder; being the Searcher of all hearts, He knew perfectly the motives which actuated those who assailed Him. Being Himself the Truth, He knew just what was required to meet every occasion.
During His last week in Jerusalem, He was frequently assailed by the religious leaders of Israel. On one occasion, after He had exposed their spiritual incompetency for the sacred office, He related the parable of the two sons, which sets forth the hopeless case of men who say and do not. "A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. He answered and said. I will not; but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not." Matt. 21:28-3028But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. (Matthew 21:28‑30). The rebellious son, who at first refused to do his father's will, represents the publicans and the harlots. Immersed in iniquity, these listened to the stern denunciations of John the Baptist, and bowed their hearts in true contrition before God. When the Savior's ministry of grace reached their ears, they welcomed it and thus became true heirs of the kingdom. The son who promised obedience but did not render it, represents the priests and Pharisees. These, steeped in religion and profoundly contemptuous of "publicans and sinners," were, in fact, hypocrites. Nothing could be more cutting than the Savior's words concerning them on another occasion: "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Matt. 23:33All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Matthew 23:3). For such men, no sentence could be more righteous than this: "Verily, I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”
This parable should raise the most serious thoughts in men's minds today. All around us are those who "profess and call themselves Christians," with their leaders and shepherds. From all these, God demands reality. Deeds, not words, are His holy requirement. A pious "Lord, Lord," can never deceive Him. True faith in the Savior's name and in the blood He shed produces holiness, separation from the world and devotedness to the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. Where these things are not seen, profession is the merest sham, which may deceive men in the present world, but it will be fully exposed in another scene. However startling it may appear, it is nevertheless true that many a religious person will be lost forever. But it is equally true that multitudes of the earth's vilest will be found in the blessedness of the Father's house when the gathering moment comes. The very vileness of these latter disposes them to seek the Savior's face and to avail themselves of His great salvation. Like the crucified thief who said, "Lord, remember me," their cry of repentance has been heard, and divine forgiveness has been fully and freely given to them. Salvation is altogether of grime, and it is the happy portion of every true believer, wherever he may be found. W. Fereday