First Or Second

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?"

They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." (Matthew 21:28-32)

The message is clear: A person who refuses to do what is asked of him/her, but who subsequently changes his/her mind and does the task is better than the one who promises to take care of his/her obligations but never fulfills them.  

The first son, according to Jesus, is the personification of the tax collectors and prostitutes living a sinful life and who have refused to do the will of God.  But due to John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ teaching of the forgiveness of sins, these social and moral outcasts of society repented, believed, and entered the kingdom of God.  Thus, the tax collectors and prostitutes did the will of the Father.  

The second son portrayed the attitude of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time.  They were the people who did not practice what they preached.  They presumably were experts in the Law of God and put on an outward show of compliance.  Inwardly, however, they refused to accept the word of God.  

So, who are we?  Are we the first or the second son [daughter]?  Do we accept the word of God and do the Father's will?

Deacon David Pierce