Parable of the two sons

Parable of the two sons - Lesson 18 (Mt21:28-32) 3/6/24

Introduction:

Have you ever said you were going to do something and than not do it?

Or said no to something, then changed your mind and did it?

Yep, this is what this parable is about today and we will get there eventually to Mt21:28-32.

As you will see in our parable today the attitudes of both of the sons are common attitudes you can find in today’s society too, just as in Jesus in addressing those listening.

Background

Setting is nearing the end of Jesus public ministry

He had made his triumphal entry (Mt21:1-11)

He had cleansed the temple (Mt21:12-13)

He had cursed the fig tree (Mt21:18-22)

Then, had His authority questioned (Mt2:23-27)

Audience: from the previous text there are the chief priests and elders (v.23) who came to Him while he was teaching, so there were others.

CH Dodd in his commentary said this of this parable “Thus the Matthaean paravble of the Two Sons (Mt21:28-32) is clearly a comment on the rejection of the word of God by the religious leaders, and its acceptance by the outcasts, as the evangelist represents it.” - - - Womack goes on to say “So, Jesus is attacking these leaders for their failure to serve God completely.”

Examining the text

Matthew 21:28–32 NASB95

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 “The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. 32 “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.

Ask the normal questions

Question: Do you think there is a difference between regret and repentance?

Point out the word “regret” (v.29) and in the Greek there are two words used here, one signifies changing one’s mind due to regret, the others is changing one’s mind or repent. The first is only regret, sorrow, the other shows the concept of repentance.

Another point to catch is “ahead of you,” a strong condemnation to the leaders that the tax collectors and prostitutes would enter ahead of them. This is a strong indictment against those who are challenging Jesus authority (Mt21:23-27)

Purpose and application

I think you can agree with Womack who says “Jesus is condemning the formalistic worship of the people of His day because it tended to become void of true obedience.”

Serving does not always equate to worshipping. The leaders were content with their serving the Lord and missed out in the worship through heart felt obedience in service. Rule keeping was good with them, Jesus want their hearts.

Jesus illustrates the real meaning of obedience

Good intentions avail nothing if not put into action, we know the old adage “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Good intentions must be followed with good actions (obedience).

God gave us free will, freedom of choices including actions that is why you can read in Jn14:15

John 14:15 NASB95

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Question: Did the son who promised to work in the vineyard demonstrate his love for the father?

The two son’s represent two different groups of people.

The first who refused and went would be those tax collectors, prostitutes who repented and would enter into the kingdom

The second, the ones who agreed to go, but did not represent the Jewish leaders. They knew God’s will, who wanted obedience (consider 1Sam15:22), but they were tied to their traditions (consider Mk7:3)

Let me give you 1Sam15:22

1 Samuel 15:22 NASB95

22 Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

and

Mark 7:3 NASB95

3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;

The tax collectors/prostitutes are obvious sinners who are willing to change their minds. The others would be caught up in religiosity and not faithful obedience.

Learning to live the parable

Quotable quote: “This is a powerful lesson on discipleship, but it is also emphasizes growth, at least in the life of the son who changed his mind and went. Even though we are not worthy, God has called all of us to become His disciples. He expects us to work in His vineyard. God knows all our weaknesses and is able to help us to overcome them.” (Womack)

Question: Are you familiar with the term “on second thought?” the first son was. The second thought was better than the first thought. There is no mention that the son was rebellious against the father, just was unwilling to go into the vineyard and voiced such.

We have the God of second chances don’t we? Lots of biblical examples too

Abraham, pleading with God for Lot’s life in Sodom/Gomorrah

Jonah with God from deliverance belly of the big fish.

Peter after being restored from the denials

and You and me (expand)

Second chances are going to come to an end (expand)

Jesus in this parable illustrates two types of people the agreeable and the rebel.

There is the agreeable son, who agreed who did not go.

We know people like this promise or agree to many things but follow through on none or little.

In the agreeable son we see no mention of regret or repentance. Repentance leads to godly sorrow (consider 2Cor7:10) and that leads to salvation.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB95

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

The rebel is the person who does not accept responsibility as portrayed in the son who refused to go.

There is repentance there, a second thought, a change of mind and heart that lead to a change of action, he went into the vineyard.

Many reasons people can give in rebellion

Time, effort, money, doubt, other things

Yet on second though there is a change a trust and an action

Remember Jesus expects all to work in the vineyard of the Lord!

Womack says “two kinds of people the ‘agreeable disobedient,’ and the ‘disagreeable obedients.’ in other words the saintly sinners and the sinful saints.

Thank God for the God of second chances that we can change while we can.

Conclusion:

What are you taking away from this parable today?