28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29“ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. (Matthew 21:28-32)
Thoughts: Jesus ends this group of sayings (chapter 21 in Matthew) by giving two parables of rejection: the parable of the two sons and the parable of the bad tenants. Jesus knew He would be rejected by His own people. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him (John 1:11). Both are of the owner of a vineyard- symbolizing God our Maker and sustainer.
This parable is about two sons- both loved by the father and both called by the father. One son said he would obey but did not listen. The other said he would not but later changed his mind and did. There is a dual meaning here.
In one sense this is a symbol of those who are proud and think they are right simply because they say they are willing to do God's will. Others may do wrong but are later changed or converted and do God's will. Obedience proves love. The sinners who repented and followed Christ are better off than the Pharisees who didn't feel the need to follow Him.
The other meaning is that Jesus was about to be rejected by His people as a whole- the people who said they would follow Him. But His Gospel is about to be spread to those who said "No" at first (the Gentiles). Many of these would come to Jesus (along with some Jews too). What counts is not your words, your liturgy, your show, but your heart.
In one sense this is a symbol of those who are proud and think they are right simply because they say they are willing to do God's will. Others may do wrong but are later changed or converted and do God's will. Obedience proves love. The sinners who repented and followed Christ are better off than the Pharisees who didn't feel the need to follow Him.
The other meaning is that Jesus was about to be rejected by His people as a whole- the people who said they would follow Him. But His Gospel is about to be spread to those who said "No" at first (the Gentiles). Many of these would come to Jesus (along with some Jews too). What counts is not your words, your liturgy, your show, but your heart.
Prayer: Lord, let my heart be true to you and finish in love for you.
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