A Look at the Two Sons of
Jesus begins this parable by asking for our opinion: “What do you think?”, asked our Lord. And this parable is designed to make us think. It has been said that some perish for want of thought, others for wrong thinking, but thinking is what Jesus wants us to do. The priests and the elders had been asking Jesus by what authority He taught the things He was teaching. Christ answered their question by holding up this parable as a mirror before their eyes so that they may be convinced of their own sins. The way to understand the authority of Christ is to discover your real state before Him. Those who pride themselves in their supposed goodness will always remain ignorant of Christ’s authority and saving power.
1. What the Father Commanded, verse 28. The Father’s vineyard needs workers; who but the Son should be more interested than the Son? Consider:
Ground of the Father’s claim. “Son,” is how He was addressed by the Father. There are all kinds of hired hands who would work for wages, but a son should be motivated by love and loyalty to his father. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, Paul tells us that love for God should be our motivation. If we are truly sons of God, surely the Father has the first claim upon our time, strength and substance! Our Father may hire strangers to serve Him (Isaiah 7:20), but sons are commanded.
Desire of the Father’s heart. “Work,” is what the Father wanted done. God must surely be disappointed to see so much work to be done and so many of His sons sitting around, doing nothing. Work is pleasing to the Father. Work is good for the vineyard. Work is good for the Son. The one who is idle is promised only one thing: hunger. Our heavenly Father has many, many talkative sons, but the laborers are so few.
Urgency of the Father’s request. The word is, “Today!” The time for serving the Lord is always NOW. Some of the younger sons may say things like, “Wait until I get more experience.” Some of the older sons may reason, “It’s not worth my time of start now, ” or they may lament, “I’ve done my part already.” Imagine, thinking a son can retire from his father’s vineyard! What arrogance! The cry of God’s heart is to work today. The reason “today” is so important is because there may not be a tomorrow, John 9:4. Hebrews 3:7 says this: today is the day to hear the voice of the Spirit.
2. What the Sons Said:
A decided refusal, verse 29. The one son said, basically, NO WAY. There attitude reveals the indifference of a selfish heart. In plain language, the son said he had their own business to tend to and have no time for the father’s vineyard. As a believer, do you care about your neighbor who will die in sin? Do you care about God’s grieving heart? Or do you care more about your own cares and concerns? The language also betrays a rebellious heart: “I will not.” A life that is opposed to God’s will is out of harmony with the Father’s purpose.
A ready consent, verse 30. “I will go, sir.” This son speaks with respect and seems to have great reverence for his father and a zeal for the word. He’s the slick one: his words are as slick as butter. His replay was quick and he used all the right words, yet he did nothing.
3. What the Sons Did. Have you noticed that there is often a difference between what a believer says he will do and what he actually does? Notice the question Jesus asked: “Which son do you think did what his father wanted?” He did not ask which of them talked the best or made the loudest profession. By their deeds they are justified or condemned. His Word is fulfilled in our doing what it says, not in our talking about it.
One repented and obeyed, verse 29. Repentance always precedes the doing of the will of God. Often times, it is the bold, self willed rebel who is the first yield and obey. Never stop praying for the loud-mouthed, disobedient backslider and the defiant skeptic. The good news of this parable is that “he repented and went.” Those who go willingly into the vineyard of God’s service will find God’s amazingly sufficient grace and unending joy.
The other promised and failed, verse 30. He said he would and didn’t. All who do not go at God’s command are disobedient and rebellious children no matter how nicely they talk about “the Lord’s work.” Talking about the goodness of God, the good work of the Church or even of your favorite Bible verse is not working for God any more than thinking about doing the dishes gets them done. The solemn admonition of the Word is so clear: Not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will enter into the Kingdom, but ONLY those who do the will of God, Matthew 7:21.
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