The Two Sons #149

A parable from Sunday was about a man who had two sons. To the first he said, “go and work in the vineyard.” The son said, “I will not.” Later he changed his mind and went. The father also went to the second son and told him the same. The son answered, “I will” but he didn’t go. Then Jesus asked, “which of the two did what the father wanted?” They said, “the first.” 

The point is that changing your mind to do the right thing is better than lying and not doing the right thing. Gotcha. 

But here’s the zinger. 

Then Jesus said, “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. John [the Baptist] showed you the way of righteousness, but you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after this you did not repent and believe him.”

Seems a little harsh. 

However, this parable was spoken as part of a series of communications to the chief priests and elders; it was not directed to the disciples. And Jesus had little patience for the religious authorities who placed more importance on themselves and their roles than on serving the people. Jesus is saying that people who are sinful, but repent, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who claim to be holy, like the chief priests, but who are not, will not enter the kingdom. It’s about spiritual (and general) hypocrisy. 

Which brings us to today. Jesus called out hypocrisy and urged repentance. It seems like we could use some of that today with the corruption, lies, blatant self-enrichment at the expense of ordinary Americans. I guess only time will tell if there is repentance and a reckoning.