The Parable Of Two Sons
Re: Matt. 21:28-32. I have always heard that in this Biblical passage Jesus was referring to the work in the church. But in a careful analysis I have found that this is not possible. I would like to hear your comments about this.
Q. Re: Matt. 21:28-32.
“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.’
” ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 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.”
I have always heard that in this Biblical passage Jesus was referring to the work in the church. But in a careful analysis I have found that this is not possible. The fact that Jesus choose that example for making an analogy does not mean that He was referring to any work at all, because when the Lord clarified what He wanted to say He made the point that He was referring to John (the Baptist) who came to announce the coming of Christ. I would like to hear your comments about this.
A. You’re correct. Jesus was trying to tell them that those who outwardly obeyed but secretly disobeyed were not fooling God. He still saw them as sinners because He judges us by the intent of our hearts, not our outward behavior. On the other hand, those who inwardly believed, the publicans and harlots for example, would be saved even though their outward behavior was sinful. Again it’s what was in their hearts that counted.
The bottom line is that we’re saved because of what we believe, not because of how we behave. John came teaching them to believe in a coming savior and gain a righteousness by faith, not to try and earn it on their own. The sinners believed him and were saved, but the “righteous” Pharisees didn’t and were not.
