The Two Sons - 6 April 2009

 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’  The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.  Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.   “Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.^”    Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.  For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

 Matthew 21:28-32 (NLT)

This week I am looking at the parables Jesus told during those days in Jerusalem preceding his death.  I hope to bring out some of the reasons why Jesus used those stories at that time and to set a challenge each day for us to examine our own attitudes as Lent draws to a close.

Jesus’ Jerusalem Parables are very important because they illustrate His message to the church of the time.  He is there in Solomon’s temple teaching to the religious elite as well as interested passers by.  What would you say if you had the chance to speak at the General Synod?

This parable tells the leaders of the Jewish faith what they are doing; they are pretending to themselves and others that the old system with its many laws and sacrifices actually works and holding themselves up as good examples of this.  They are saying they are obeying God, but inside they know they are still the same sinners.

Contrast this with the group that by now are following Jesus around.  The flotsam and jetsam of Jewish society, tax collectors, recently healed lepers, prostitutes and sinners.  All most likely full of joy and the love of God following their spectacular healings at the hands of this amazing man, hanging onto His every word, excited at their new lives.

The contrast must have spoken for itself.

Our challenge for today, which of these groups do we identify with?  And how can we see the love of God expressed in our church?