Two Sons

Two Sons

Matthew 21:28-32, NKJV

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”

Setting the Scene

Jesus wasn’t done reminding the chief priests and their allies that they had made a grave error in dismissing John the Baptist. Shortly before John was beheaded, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11, NIV). By human standards, John was as good as they come in fulfilling his God-given role. And yet even he couldn’t measure up to those who are saved by grace and become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.

So Jesus told the story of the two sons, with their different answers to their father and their different actions. Jesus made the point of his story painfully clear: The first son represents the “tax collectors and harlots” who are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of “you,” the religious establishment who were like the second son. These tax collectors and prostitutes may have been in rebellion against God initially, but they eventually believed the message of John and repented, while the chief priests and their allies not only rejected the message but rejected the witness of those who were being transformed by it. The privileged faith of the religious leaders turned out to have no root of obedience to sustain it.

Getting Personal

Why doesn’t access to spiritual knowledge or information insure that we will be in a right relationship with Christ?

What have you said you would do in obedience to God but have not yet done?

Even in his judgment, Jesus offered a glimpse of hope. He said, “tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.” He did not say, “but you don’t enter the kingdom.” These stubborn leaders still had an opportunity if they would “relent and believe” John’s message and accept Jesus.

Talking to God

Request that the Lord combine in you the second son’s readiness to accept his Father’s authority and the first son’s determination to obey. Thank God for his ongoing patience with you, as you increasingly understand and do his will.