In the parable of the tenants in Matthew 21, Jesus tells a parable about a landowner whose servants, at harvest, are beaten, killed, and stoned. Later in the parable, Jesus shares that the landowner sent his son as well and that the son was robbed and killed. Jesus uses this parable as a means to connect Psalm 118, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” 

Since Jesus entered this world, all have been faced with one question: how are we going to respond to Jesus? Are we going to accept that we all need Jesus to lead and save our lives? Acts 3 recounts a story of Peter and John encountering a lame man at the temple gate. Every day of this man’s life has been spent at the gate begging for money. It’s who he is and what he does. However, when Peter and John meet this man, he is faced with a new question: is he going to let Jesus save him?

In Acts 3:6, Peter says, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” And guess what? He does! The text says that the man “Jumped to his feet…Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” Do you see the joy and emotion in this story? This man’s life is changed forever because he encounters the name of Jesus. 

The reason why this story is captivating is because of the saving nature of Jesus. Whether we admit it or not, we do not like to be saved. We want to do things on our own. However, we need Jesus. Romans 6:4 reads, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Each day we are given a new life and a new hope because Jesus still saves.