A Tale of Two Sons

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The Parable of the Two Sons

Matthew 21:28 “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. 32 For 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.
This story seems very simple at first glance as do many of Jesus' stories.  But before Jesus tells this parable he asks his listeners, "What do you think?"  He is deliberately telling this story to elicit a response.  In the story one son said he would go to work and then decided against it.  The other one at first refused to work and then "changed his mind" and went into the Vineyard to do the job.  
Note that Jesus was teaching publicly in the temple. The parables were an indictment against the Pharisees.  The religious leaders were good at talking about righteous things, but their hearts were far from God.  Instead of repenting of their "hard heartedness" when John the Baptist preached to them, they doubled down and starting thinking about a way to get rid of him.  Meanwhile the notorious sinners (tax collectors and prostitutes) said they would follow Jesus and they did.  Though they might not have started out their lives as God followers, when the heard the Good News they repented and followed Jesus. 
While it is important to confess what we believe, these words don't mean anything unless we are willing to follow God and work in His vineyard.  Actions speak louder than words.  At the very essence of the word "repent" is a change of mind that leads to a change of life.  Our faith is actualized as we do the things God has called us to do.  God has a job to do in the Vineyard, which represents the world.  As we work in the Vineyard, we bear fruit.  The fruit of more people coming to know Jesus.  
Which son are you more like?  Have you told God you would live for him only to fall back into old habits and behaviors that show your true allegiance?  Or, have you realized God's grace and invitation to turn from a life consumed with yourself to a life of eternal significance.  One day God will return to the Vineyard and reap the harvest of all those who have given their lives to him. Let's get to work.

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