A Story of Two Sons

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Matt 21:28-32 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

28 “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.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. 31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins. (Matthew 21:28–32 NLT)

Jesus, in the Temple, speaking to the leading priests and other leaders who had just challenged his actions and authority, told this story:

  • To the older son: Go work in the vineyard today. Older son: No, I won’t go. (Later he changed his mind and went.) To the younger son: Go work in the vineyard today. Younger son: Yes, sir, I will. (He didn’t go.) Which one obeyed his father? The first son.
  • Jesus’ explanation: Corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before the religious leaders of the Jews. When John the Baptist came to show them the right way to live, the religious leaders didn’t believe him and continued in their prideful exclusive religion and refused to acknowledge their need to change. Corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes, on the other hand, believed and repented and experienced life transformation.
  • Here’s the message for me: 1) What you actually do counts more than what you say you’ll do! 2) The point is not what you used to do or how badly you messed up. 3) The point is when you hear the truth, will you believe the Gospel, and change your mind and change your thinking in a way that leads to a change in behavior?

Even the Old Covenant prophet Ezekiel saw something of the truth Jesus was getting at in this story. (I’d love to have you click this link to Ezekiel 18:23-32 and discover more about this important truth!) God doesn’t want anyone to perish! It’s the same message from Ezekiel, from John the Baptist, from Jesus!

Prayer:

Father, Please help me to hear the truth, believe the truth, and always be willing to change my mind and act on what I know to be the Gospel Truth! I commit to always be willing to learn and to change and to grow. For your Kingdom’s Sake! Amen.