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Which Son Are You - Matthew 21
Which Son Are You - Matthew 21
As you read through Matthew 21, take note of who is opposing Jesus: in verse 23 it is the Chief priests and elders, and in verse 45 it is said to be the chief priests and Pharisees. Sandwiched in between these markers, we find them challenging Jesus’ authority and two parables that Jesus responded with. When they displayed their hand by refusing to answer His question (vs. 27), He told two parables.
The first one is about a man with two sons. Instructing them to go into the field and work, the first said “NO, but later changed his mind and went (vs. 29). The second readily said ‘I will’, but never went (vs. 30).
The tax collectors and prostitutes, (see vs. 31), had obviously rebelled against God and His commands, but with the coming of John, they ‘repented and went’. THEY had a change of heart. They ‘did the will of their Father’. The chief priests, elders, and Pharisees, ‘say and do not’ (Matt. 23:3). They talked a good game but refused to play.
For such rebellion, the second parable pictures them as ‘wretches’ that would be brought to a ‘wretched end’ (vs. 41). The kingdom of God would be taken away from THEM (not ALL Jews) and given to a people producing the fruit.
As Jesus said: ‘but what do you think?’ You either ARE doing the will of God, or you are not. It matters not what you SAY you are doing, but what you ARE doing. If you have refused and been disobedient, you can, like the first son, regret such rebellion and submit unto God. Many are like the chief priests, elders, and Pharisees and are so busy talking about their religion that they don’t DO what God has instructed.
Jesus expects people to hear these parables, grasp the implication, and make the proper response and changes in their lives. Which son are you proving yourself to be?
Hugh DeLong
