Matthew 21.28-32

This is the first of three parables that Jesus tells, revealing to the Jewish leaders their need to repent (first parable) because of their rejection (second parable) and rebellion (third parable). This parable is very simple and straightforward.

  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, “I tell you the truth, 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.


The rejection of Jesus and the punishment grows increasingly worse with each of these parables. In this first one, rejecting Jesus is like the wicked Son who did not do what Jesus asked. In the second parable, they are like tenants who reject and kill the son, and receive punishment for that. In the third, they are like those who reject the king's invitation to his banquet and thus they will be rejected from the Messianic  banquet (heaven). 


This parable contains the first time that Jesus openly  applies one of his parables to the Jewish leaders. He says clearly in verses 31-32, 


“I tell you the truth, 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.


His point is simply this, lip service does not equate obedience. Action equates obedience. You can't just talk the talk, you got to walk the walk. Jesus is saying that although the tax collector's and sinners had rejected God by their lifestyle, when John the Baptists told them to repent they did. And although the Jewish leaders SEEMED like they were obeying God's will, they were not. And when John the Baptist told them to repent, they didn't think they needed to, so they didn't. They were talking the talk but not walking the walk.


This is a very simple idea with huge implications. 


We can't just say the right things or believe the right set of statements and be in line with God's will. Following Jesus involves ACTION. We are not saved BY our works, but we are saved FOR good works. 


So going to church, having the right Christian lingo, believing the right set of doctrines or propositions does not equate following Jesus. The Jewish leaders were doing all these things. What it means to follow Jesus is to DO what he DID. We are to take care of the poor and disenfranchised. We are to bring glory to God by our holy lives. We are to bring God's kingdom here on earth by righting all the wrongs in this world. This is what he called us to do.


So which son are you going to be?