Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Monday, August 9, 2021

Theme: THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM

Text: “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today 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.” – Matthew 21:28-30.

Comment: The text for today is drawn from the parable of Jesus Christ in which a man who had two sons asked the first son to go and work in his vineyard. He said he would not go but afterward he changed his mind and went. The second received the same instruction and agreed to go but did not. Clearly, it was the first son, who obeyed the father’s instruction, though he initially demurred. From this parable of Christ has emerged the saying thatThere is a difference between “I cannot  come “ and “I will not come”.  Our Master, Jesus Christ, chastised the Jews that the publicans and the harlots would go into the kingdom of God before them because although they were given to ungodliness initially, they repented when they heard the word of God. (Matthew 21:28-32) Many there are who say they are convinced of the need to serve God but never really make the decision to be Christians.  They keep postponing things, forgetting that man is a mortal being.

No one should think it is too late for him to turn to Christ.  The Bible says, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” – Ezekiel 18:31, 32.