THE TWO SONS

The hypocritical and pharisaical religious leaders were at war with Jesus. They wanted to retain their prestige and power, but many people were drawn toward Jesus because of His miraculous power and His new and authoritative teaching. One day, as Jesus was teaching in the temple complex, “the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him … and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?’ ” (Matthew 21:23). In response, Jesus told a short parable.

“What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’ “He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first.” (Matthew 21:28-31).

I suppose that Jesus’ hyper-religious opponents scratched their heads. “What does this mean? Who do the two sons represent?”

Jesus connected the dots. “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him” (Matthew 21:31-32).

Obviously, Jesus wasn’t trying to win friends! He compared the self-satisfied, holier-than-thou religious leaders to out-and-out sinners, the “tax collectors and prostitutes.” He clearly proclaimed that repentant sinners would be ushered into the “kingdom of God” but the do-gooders would never earn their salvation.

It’s still true. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus alone!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).