Do you ever go along to get along? Why make a fuss? If you must compromise to bring peace, then do so. A friend tried to convince me this was the way forward for the church in America. For the record, if Jesus had just gone along to get along, he likely would never have been crucified and the world would not have been saved.
When the religious leaders attacked Jesus, he told a story. Good idea. Everyone loves a story. Perhaps, Jesus could make his adversaries laugh and calm them down. Did you read the story? Jesus told about a vineyard owner who leased his land only to have his servants and son sorely mistreated when he tried to collect the tenants’ payment.
“God forbid,” the listeners groaned. They knew Jesus was saying that the heavenly Father had sent his Son. He told them they would kill the Son. Jesus promised sure judgment from the Father, and an offering of the kingdom to others. Instead of learning from the parable, they set in motion a plan to arrest Jesus and ultimately crucify him.
Why was Jesus unwilling to compromise? The plan of salvation was at risk if he did. Jesus came into the world to seek and save the lost. God’s plan would cost him his life. But when Jesus was lifted up on the cross he drew all people, including Gentiles to himself. The Kingdom of God is available to all people, precisely because Jesus willingly walked the “via Dolorosa,” the way of the cross. Let’s go along with him and see where he takes us today. Receive the kingdom that Jesus purchased at such a high price.
