The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32 NLT
Matthew 21:28-30
“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.”
Jesus came into the Temple and began to teach. The leading priests and elders came up to him, wishing to know by who’s authority he was teaching the scriptures. In response, Jesus asked them a question. By whose authority did John baptize, heavenly or earthly authority? They knew they were trapped, for if they said from heaven, Jesus would want to know why they didn’t believe him, and if they said earthly authority they would be mobbed by the crowd, so they said they didn’t know the answer. Jesus then responded that neither would he tell them where his authority came from.
This is the first of three parables Jesus uses to rebuke the religious leaders of his day. He started his parable with a question… “But what do you think about this?” A father told he eldest son to go work in the vineyard that day. The son said “No”, but later repented and did as he was told. The father then told his younger son to do the same and that son said “Yes” but didn’t end up going. What is the message Jesus was attempting to convey? The first son represents the sinners; the tax collectors and prostitutes. They rejected John the Baptist’s message regarding the correct way to live, but later came to accept it and repent, having sins forgiven. The second son represents the religious leaders who talked a good game but whose actions didn’t match up with their words. In essence, Jesus was calling the religious leaders phonies, in that they were saying they were obedient, yet were always disobeying.
Are you like the first son or the second son? Do your intentions always fall far short of your actual actions? Do you talk the talk but don’t walk the walk? God knows all our intentions and also knows all our heart’s motivations. We must take our walk with the Lord seriously, for a serious price was paid for our freedom from sin. Don’t be like the Pharisees or the Sadducees and give God lip service. Say little, listen a lot to learn of the things of the Lord. When we speak, we learn nothing of any consequence. It is in our listening that we acquire the knowledge of God. However, knowledge is nothing without a corresponding action. Live for God, not for yourself. Until next time, walk with the King and be blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Life Application Study Bible, p.2061; Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.
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