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.”
In our verses for today through parabolic jargon our Lord sets forth to demonstrate the difference in men’s characters. Some prove to be better than they promise, others promise better than they prove to be. May we be as the former and not the latter! We discover the same command delivered to both sons: “‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’” God sets His children to work even as heirs. Work was not meant to be a curse rather a blessing. It is a gift. I am reminded of our first father’s marching orders in Genesis prior to the Fall. God had intended for man to enjoy his labor. Work became drudgery only after sin entered:
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Gen 2:15 (NIV)
God had no intention for His children to remain shiftless and idle – indeed, idle hands are the devil’s workshop! The Gospel call to work in God’s vineyard requires modern day believers to be obedient to His “good, pleasing and perfect will” as well – whatever profession we may be. This is not for preachers only. We are to bring the love and Truth of Christ to each of our spheres. Daylight was not given for us to aimlessly piddle away. It is Jesus’ command for us to “go and make disciples” and carries with it His authority, affection and ability. The Gospel call is the same for every believer. Remember Jesus tells us the harvest is plentiful and the worker’s few:
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt 9:37-38 (NIV)
Jesus also tells us we must work while it is still day – doing the will of the Father. This was His chosen path by the way. There is an allotted time for each of us to do what God has prepared in advance for us to do:
4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5 (NIV)
Paul also tells us in Ephesians:
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 (NIV)
“Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.” G.K. Chesterton
In our parable today, the two son’s responses were very different. The first son responded with a flat denial to his father’s wishes. Excuses are bad enough but downright “no’s” are even worse. Often people refuse the call of the Gospel – the still small voice of the Father – initially choosing rather to give way to worldly pursuits or pleasures – temporal and fleeting as they may be. Here the first son denies yet on second thought later reconsiders, repents and produces fruit in keeping with repentance. To be sure, it is better late than never. God graciously and patiently waits on us despite our former follies. Indeed, He rises to show us compassion:
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
The second son responds with respect and professed obedience yet was duplicitous and remained unchanged. To be sure, saying and doing are two separate matters. Many mouth words but demonstrate their heart goes in a different direction. We must back up our words with what we do – practice what we preach. God does not look lightly on an unfulfilled vow – better to remain silent. Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes:
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Eccl 5:4-5 (NIV)
Lastly, Christ’s application of this parable being that the Baptist – our Lord’s forerunner sent from heaven - came showing the way of righteousness. The tax collectors and prostitutes had believed Him while the religious elite snubbed their noses. By this, Jesus reproves the chief priests and elders for their contempt of John’s baptism – shaming them for it and setting before them faith, repentance and obedience.