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23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

 

Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to draw the distinction between our words and our actions. Jesus compared the chief priest and elders to the second son whose words may have initially pleased the father but were not followed by obedience. The chief priest and elders preached to the people but ignored God’s messenger sent to prepare them for the Messiah. Their words were not accompanied by the actions needed to do God’s work.

 

In thinking about this parable, I wonder if the father in the parable would have been pleased with either son. The first son told his father that he won’t do it. When I was a kid, that was a good way to be on the wrong side of my father. However, the first son realized his error and eventually did obey. The second son agreed to do what his father asked but didn’t. A sure way to get on the wrong side. The first son eventually satisfied the earthly father (I hope he apologized too).

 

As sinners, our words don’t always reflect what God wants us to do and say. The grace of God gives us the opportunity for repentance. Our actions speak louder than our words.

 

Dear Lord, thank You for Your patience with us. We may be slow to do Your will. Open our hearts to Your desires and give us the guidance to do Your will. Amen

 

Barry Dougherty

barryd72@aol.com

 

Prayer Concern - For good harvest this fall.

 

Additional readings - Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 25:1-9 and Philippians 2:1-13