Matthew 21:28-32 English Standard Version

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.” 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Allow me to clarify one important issue here before we continue. Jesus said a man had two sons. He did not say “the Kingdom of heaven is like” in this parable. This implies that the earthly realm has earthly consequences but not eternal consequences. One has nothing to do with the other as far as obedience is concerned. He explains in verse 32 that John the Baptist preached repentance not obedience and since he was preparing the way for the Messiah those that believed his words were looking for the Messiah. John’s words had good consequences, leading the repentant to Jesus Christ.

Since Jesus left us with these words there are earthly lessons to be learned. If we can learn from them, perhaps we can hear some eternal lessons. There is a third son in the story, one that had an earthy Abba, Joseph married to Mary, a carpenter from Nazareth. Jesus was the son that always said yes and always then did as He was told.

In the parable what earthly lessons can we expect to learn about the behavior of men in respect to obeying fathers? We can only draw from our own experience and from the life of others we are close enough to observe. Real world application.

What happens to a son that consistently says he will do his father’s bidding but has lied and does not obey? Does the father correct the behavior? Some do, some don’t. Inconsistency in fathering is found in mankind. Does the father cast him out of his home? Again, inconsistent.

Does the father stop asking that son and only rely on the son who said no? Answer for yourself and no one else.

We are running out of space here. Read the Parable of the Prodigal Son for enlightenment.

Luke 15:11-32

Hebrews 1 English Standard Version

The Supremacy of God’s Son

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

The words of the prophets implied many things about earthly issues and eternal consequences. There were no more important words given than those foretelling of the coming Messiah, the Christ, God’s Anointed.

The implication was the prophecy, the application was the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ to the throne.

To fully understand the implications of how those words were received and understood in a world that was inhabited by cruel men and women in their attempts to imprint their image on the life of others takes a lifetime to study and discern. Without Godly discernment, no one gets it right. We can expect to diligently study the bible all our lives and all we can do at best is to understand the actions of others. Only God knows the intentions of the heart.

The best that we can do for ourselves in that endeavor is to be open to correction when our thoughts go wrong.

Jeremiah 5:3 O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish; you have consumed them, but they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to repent.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 English Standard Version

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I have gone on too long for today. Tomorrow we should address the application.