What do you Think?

Matthew 21:28-32

“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.”

Jesus’ opening question, “What do you think?” or maybe you would say what is your take, or your opinion?  You read the story, the father in the story symbolizes God, now did you identify with the sons, for the first was brash, arrogant, and yes, a rebellious sinner, like a tax collector and prostitute who when confronted with the gospel believed and repented.  The other son was open and willing to give his father lip service, sure dad, I will go and work in the vineyard, but never planned on going, and is an example of the chief priest and elders who promised obedience to God and His commandments, but never acted on them.  It is not the end of this story, for the question is still being ask of each of God’s sons and daughters; will you go work in my vineyard?

Can a Christian life model both sons, and I believe the sad answer is yes, and sometime it is the first son we condemn and the second son that gets the accolades, for outwardly they look good, they volunteer, but they never go into the vineyard, they never do the work, they discuss, and recruit others, but it’s below them to work in the vineyard.  It is strange but it’s the first son that comes to understand that he/she is a sinner living in rebellion and confesses to the Father, and receives His forgiveness and joyfully, with some concern of what the other workers will think of them, enters the Master’s calling.  The second son will look good to others who have the same mindset, but he will not have any power, because his desires are not the will of the Father.  Jesus stated about Himself in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his word.”  That became the heart desire of the first son; the second son was an empty suit.  The first son, the rebellious one, after repenting saw the vineyard as his Father did.  John goes on in the 35^th verse to give us the words of Jesus about the harvest.  “Do not say, “There are four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for the harvest.”

I know both of those brothers, for you see my Christian life has been a model of each at some point, and being in the role of the second son is the defeated life.  It matters not what others think, but God will never trust the second son, that is unless he becomes like the first son who repented and did the will of the Father.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice