The Parable of the Two Sons

 

[Jesus said] “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 will, 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).

 

The next parable of Jesus we will look at is known as “The Parable of the Two Sons” (cf. Matthew 21:28-32). After reading this parable my first thought was “OUCH.” It hits very close to home for so many of us. It tells of a father who asks his two sons to work in his vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes. The second son says he will go but never does. Jesus concludes the parable by asking which son did the father's will, and the listeners answer, "The first". He then explains that the first son represents those who initially rejected God's message (like publicans and prostitutes) but later repented and entered the Kingdom of God, while the second son symbolizes the self-righteous religious leaders who said they would obey God but did not.

 

Jesus explained that this parable teaches a vital lesson about true repentance and action. The first son, who initially said "No" but later obeyed, represents those considered "sinners" who eventually repented and followed John the Baptist and Jesus.

The second son, who promised to go but didn't, represents the religious leaders like the chief priests and elders who claimed to follow God but didn't truly obey or repent, making them hypocritical.

 

He states that these repentant sinners would enter the Kingdom of God before the supposedly righteous religious leaders. The parable emphasizes that genuine obedience to God is shown through actions, not just words or outward appearances.

It highlights the importance of repentance and changing one's mind (metamelomai) in order to do God's will. It served as a rebuke to the Jewish leaders for their spiritual pride and lack of true obedience.

 

Our question today is whether we are like the repentant son or the hypocritical son. Our eternal life is not dependent on our works, but our possession of eternal life is shown by our willingness and action in obedience to God. Some might say they are merely procrastinators. That is a fair point, however, I would encourage you to ask “why?” Why are you delaying?

 

I remember as a young boy, when my dad came to wake me up early to go fishing, which I enjoyed, I jumped out of bed. I did love to fish, but I loved to fish because I got to be with my dad doing what he loved too! Do you love being with your Heavenly Father enough to jump up and go with Him “into the fields”?