Two Very Different Sons

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.” (Matthew 21:28-32 ESV). What an incredible day Tuesday was for Jesus! He begins the morning with the cursing of the fig tree, teaching in the Temple, and challenges from the religious leaders. As dusk approached, Jesus taught the parable of the talents. And in those final moments before His teaching ministry came to an end, He told His listeners, in essence, "You have one life.” That's it. Some of you have all kinds of gifts and abilities; some of you have less. But don't squander the one and only "life" God has given you. Do something noble and great with it. Jesus knew His physical life on earth was almost over, and He was leaving final words for us. His authority was questioned; and, his reply was a stinging rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes who tried to trap Him. One of the least taught parables is that of our reading today. The basic story is of a man with two sons who told them to go work in the vineyard. The first son refused, but later obeyed and went. The second son initially expressed obedience, but actually disobeyed and refused to work in the vineyard. The son who ultimately did the will of his father was the faithful son because he eventually obeyed. Jesus then likens the first son to tax collectors and prostitutes, the outcasts of Jewish society, because they believed John the Baptist and accepted “the way of righteousness” (v. 32), in spite of their initial disobedience to the Law. I suppose we all have those “sinners” that are difficult for us to understand or even tolerate. And, while no sin should ever be condoned, the people who have fallen into these destructive patterns of life should never be rejected as unworthy of the grace and forgiveness of God. It is to those who respond that Jesus came to snatch from death into life. There are no “privileged saints” within the family of God. Even the Apostle Paul had to learn this lesson over the course of his spiritual growth. He finally comes to realize that he is no more than the “chief of sinners.” The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17 ESV). Today, let’s all look inward and thank God that regardless of how bad we were, Jesus saved us! Concentrate on that great work of grace rather than the failures of others. Emulate the first son.