PARABLES OF JESUS - THE TWO SONS

Last week we discussed the Pharisee and the tax collector and their prayers and the condition of their heart during the prayer, the reason for the prayer as well as what they actually prayed. We also discussed that when Jesus says when you pray don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing is not a prohibition of praying with others but a call to check the condition of your heart and your motives.

Today we look at another short parable, the parable of the two sons, one was obedient and one was not, but their actions were opposite of their initial response to their Father so we begin today –

Let us Pray!

THE TWO SONS

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.

Context – context is always important to know why the Bible says what it says and for Jesus’ own words – who was He talking to and why

Here in Matthew 21 – we begin the Passion Week – Jesus comes in on a donkey and the palm branches are waving and coats and branches are being laid down as Jesus enters Jerusalem

The next day on returning to Jerusalem He curses the fig tree and it withers and dies and then verse 23 is what is important here –

Matthew 21:23-27 – And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

And then He tells them the parable to the 2 sons – like in the same breath or next breath – v 28 is a continuation of v25 and then His response in v27.

So He is teaching the chief priests and the elders of the area. So if you can't answer me than neither will I answer your question, but what do you think, a man had two sons…

I. The Story—vv. 28–30

A. Orders—v. 28. The father of two sons ordered one to work in the vineyard. God calls us to be His sons —

John 1:12 – But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

God looks for the same thing in all of us – service/work – to go and bear fruit – not stay and settle and grow – but go and bear and that fruit will abide – it will last

B. Opposition—v. 29. At first the son disobeyed

Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Ephesians 6:1–3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

But later this son changed his mind and went to work in the vineyard. When we see we are wrong and repent, God is pleased. Remember to repent means to change direction – he said no and broke the 5th Commandment but realized he was wrong and went and did what he was supposed to.

C. Obedience and opposition—v. 30. The second son said he would work, then changed his mind and did not. Isaiah spoke of people loving God with their lips only—

Isaiah 29:13 – And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

We cannot only love in word but in word and deed – making our words and our actions match

Matthew 5:37 – Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

James 5:12 – But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Let your yes be yes and your no be no – sometimes we can be swift with the tongue but the feet are slow to follow through

Do not be like the people Paul describes in Titus

Titus 1:16 – They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Ephesians 5:6 – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

II. The Sincerity—v. 31

A. Obedient son—v. 31a. Perhaps the son saw his mistake, then changed his mind. Two of the hardest phrases for anyone to say are: (1) I was wrong and (2) I am sorry.

Many do not accept Christ because it is too hard for them to admit they are sinners.

We can be like the Pharisee’s and think we know it all about God, Jesus, the Bible, what is right and what is wrong which changes the condition of our heart and if we don’t check it everyday we can become modern day Pharisee’s –

Thank you God I am not like this tax collector here – look at all the good I do.

B. Obedient sinners—v. 31b. The tax collectors and prostitutes are closer to receiving the heavenly reward than are the self-righteous Pharisees, who paid tithes, prayed, and fasted (Luke 18:11–12) but whose hearts were far from God. Jesus received more opposition from the religious world than from the secular world.

Modern day application – the Christians argue over theology publicly, churches don’t accept new comers or even look down on them

In 2002 Casting Crowns released a song – “If We Are the Body” – a girl with a bad reputation comes to church – the other girls laughing carries farther than they know – a traveler sheds his coat as he faded into the back row but the weight of the judgmental glances tell him his chances are better out on the road

We are called to check our hearts every day we don’t become the Pharisee or the second son – where we tell God yes but then go and do our own thing

III. The Salvation—v. 32

Tax Collectors and Prostitutes accepted Christ, while the religious Pharisees rejected Him. Why does man today reject Jesus? Why has man ever rejected him?

A. Refusing to accept the need of a Savior

Romans 3:10 – as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

v23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B. Refusing to accept the fact that all men have gone astray

Like the Pharisee’s prayer – we love to compare our good life with the sinful life of others.

We forget our own sin when we compare but like God told Isaiah and is true for us today

Isaiah 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

C. Satan has blinded man to the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Don’t be blinded by what the world throws your way – look at everything through the lens – through the eyes of the Holy Spirit

An pastor was suffering under chronic disease, and consulted three physicians. They declared, on being questioned by the sick man, that his disease would be followed by death in a shorter or longer time, according to the manner in which he lived; but they unanimously advised him to give up his office, because, in his situation, mental agitation would be fatal to him. “If,” inquired the pastor, “I give myself up to repose, how long, gentlemen, will you guarantee my life?” Probably six years, “answered the doctors. “And if I continue in office?” “Three years at most.” “Your servant, gentlemen,” he replied, “I should prefer living two or three years in doing some good, to living six years in idleness.”

A dying soldier, who had enlisted as a Christian, but had for three years, had done nothing for Christ, said, “I die as a Christian; and I die contented; but oh, if I could have died as Christian worker!” “I am peaceful and assured in view of death,” he said again, “but I am not joyful and glad; those three lost years keep coming back upon me.” Then, lying a moment quiet with closed eyes, he added, “Chaplain, do you suppose we shall be able to forget anything after death? If so, I should like to forget those three years!”

Don’t waste an opportunity that God brings your way. Let your yes be yes and your no be no – sometimes we can be swift with the tongue but the feet are slow to follow through – let us be the opposite – let our feet be swift to do the work God has called us to do and our tongues be slow to speak

Acceptance or rejection—obedience or self-righteousness what will be your choice? Will you make Christ more than just your Savior? Will you make Him Lord as well? What will be your choice about practicing the teachings of Christ? — about having daily devotions faithfully? — about full surrender and dedication? Daily choices determine your destiny. It is a personal matter between you and God. Does your yes mean yes and your no mean no?