The Parable of Two Sons

Tuesday

Matthew 21:28-46



When Jesus came into the temple the day after He drove out the money changers, the chief priest and elders question Him,

"By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" 21:23 Jesus answered them with a question that ultimately would cut to the heart of their own salvation. Let's see how this plays out:

"I will tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question. 

Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?"

They discussed his question and reasoned that "'If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn't believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.' So they finally replied, 'We don't know.' And Jesus responded, 'Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things.'" 21: 24-26

Then Jesus tells them the Parable of the Two Sons. Would they see themselves in this word picture?
What is a parable? Why does Jesus tell them? We will answer these questions.

"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 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 gets speaks directly to the condition of their hearts. "'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." 21:28-32

This was insulting to them because of their pride and disdain for the lowest of society. How many in that time were kept out of the Kingdom for the same reasons? What about us today? Do we do what the Father asks of us?

What is a parable? 
"About one third of Jesus' teaching was in parables, brief stories from everyday life told by way of analogy to illustrate spiritual truths." * Jesus says in Matthew 13: 9, right after speaking the Parable of the Sower: "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." What does He mean by "ears to hear"?  To hear the Spirit of God we need a teachable heart.

What is the purpose of the parables?

To make spiritual truths clearer to the hearers... to put truth in a form easily remembered.
To avoid offense with hostile people who would not receive the truth.
To declare judgment upon those who were were willfully blind.*

Would the chief priests and elders see themselves in Jesus' parables and repent? 

We will see as the week progresses. Do we see ourselves in the Words of Jesus and repent? It is so important, that we have eyes to see into our own hearts, to see what Jesus plainly sees and we might miss.  And we need ears to hear what the Spirit wants to speak to us. It is not easy, especially in the fast paced, confusing culture we live in.  Oh Lord, I pray for myself and any dear readers, that we may see what you see as we look into Your Word and hear your voice in our own hearts as we read the scriptures telling of Your life and Words to the people of your time.

*Foot notes from Matthew 13:3, 9, 10-17 New Spirit Filled Life Bible