Two Sons

 

Today’s Reading : Matthew 21:28-32; John :19-20Psalms 130

Matthew 21:28-32

28 “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.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but 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, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go 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 the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

 

 

Parables are great teachers of hidden truths and realities.  The message of the “Two Sons” is a direct answer to the direct affront that Jesus was being subjected to by the Chief priest and the elders of the temple. This was a manner in which Christ was redirecting and questioning the true intentions of his accusers.  In the passage before this parable, Christ is questioned on the authority that he teaches in temple and he redirects the elders with the question of John the Baptist’s Baptism.

 

In this parable, Christ is using a similar style where he uses their own beliefs to hone in to the critical point of the essence of the elders.  In Jewish tradition similar to our tradition of respect and obligation, when a person gives their word or promise, that is the correct manner of respect. But the true essence of respect is not only to commit with words, but also to complete the action.  By completing the action, you have completed your duty to the requestor.  In the parable the chief priest and the elders are the proverbial “second son”. They commit by words, but their actions are not aligned with the request of the father. The tax collectors are the “first son” where they have heard the request of the father and deny at first, but submit to the will of the father later.

 

Being a father and a son, I can see both aspects of this parable in my life.  There were many times as a child and young adult where I submitted to the request of my parents, but there are also times where I didn’t submit to the request.  As my wife and I raise our three children, there are times that the children comply with our request and at times they submit to their own devices.  But as reading this passage, I have the realization that these two sons’ roles are present in each of us on a daily basis. It is dynamic in nature as well. If we are in Christ, we are ever searching to be aligned with God, but sometimes we may do something that is not aligned with His will. Sometimes we may say, “ God direct my path” and decided to keep our own Mapquest at hand.   Other times we may feel the need to serve and will start wherever we are. These two scenarios are ways that we can see God working in us.  We are imperfect beings with access to a perfect being.  We will not always do the correct choice, but by grace we will have the chance to grow in Him.   Be Blessed.

;  Psalms 130

 

28 “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.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but 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, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go 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 the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Parables are great teachers of hidden truths and realities.  The message of the “Two Sons” is a direct answer to the direct affront that Jesus was being subjected to by the Chief priest and the elders of the temple. This was a manner in which Christ was redirecting and questioning the true intentions of his accusers.  In the passage before this parable, Christ is questioned on the authority that he teaches in temple and he redirects the elders with the question of John the Baptist’s Baptism.

In this parable, Christ is using a similar style where he uses their own beliefs to hone in to the critical point of the essence of the elders.  In Jewish tradition similar to our tradition of respect and obligation, when a person gives their word or promise, that is the correct manner of respect. But the true essence of respect is not only to commit with words, but also to complete the action.  By completing the action, you have completed your duty to the requestor.  In the parable the chief priest and the elders are the proverbial “second son”. They commit by words, but their actions are not aligned with the request of the father. The tax collectors are the “first son” where they have heard the request of the father and deny at first, but submit to the will of the father later.

Being a father and a son, I can see both aspects of this parable in my life.  There were many times as a child and young adult where I submitted to the request of my parents, but there are also times where I didn’t submit to the request.  As my wife and I raise our three children, there are times that the children comply with our request and at times they submit to their own devices.  But as reading this passage, I have the realization that these two sons’ roles are present in each of us on a daily basis. It is dynamic in nature as well. If we are in Christ, we are ever searching to be aligned with God, but sometimes we may do something that is not aligned with His will. Sometimes we may say, “ God direct my path” and decided to keep our own Mapquest at hand.   Other times we may feel the need to serve and will start wherever we are. These two scenarios are ways that we can see God working in us.  We are imperfect beings with access to a perfect being.  We will not always do the correct choice, but by grace we will have the chance to grow in Him.   Be Blessed.