For all you folks who might want to be parents some day (or maybe you know some parents) here’s a quiz Jesus offered to the religious elite one day long ago. How would you respond to this one?
“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.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? [And their answer….]’The first,’ they answered.” Matthew 21:28-31a
This isn’t rocket science or anything, but as usual, Jesus’ parables had an interesting twist. Here, he explains the question and the parable.
“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John [the Baptist] 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.'” Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 21:31b-32)
This was how things worked in “religious circles” in Jesus’ day. People thought themselves “righteous” because of their knowledge of the Law, because of the “works” they did for God, or because of their religious “positions”. They considered everyone else less important than they–and they were sure God would agree! Enter Jesus, claiming to be God incarnate, and telling them their view of “religion” was worthless. Clearly, Jesus’ parable is still a perfect allegory of people called by the Lord today. Some refuse to have anything to do with Him, but later realize their error and dive into his loving arms head first. Others sit in pews all their lives, thinking themselves righteous and turning their noses up at the people who are “less important,” i.e., having openly sinful pasts or being less schooled in the norms of “playing church”. Shame, shame! If the church isn’t supposed to be a welcoming place of forgiveness and healing, then what is it supposed to be!
So now the really tough question… Which son are you?
In Christ,
PastorJimKilby @Kilbin8er
Jim@JamesKilby.com
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