Every parent can identify with this story. Children say no and then change their minds. Others say yes, then do not do what they are asked to do. Our Lord picked up on this family problem and gave it a spiritual application - who really is obeying God's will today? This short parable comes in a group given in the last week of Christ's earthly ministry. His authority was being questioned. Opposition was growing stronger. His words if anything were becoming more pointed. What is the application of the first son's actions? Christ said (v.31) that outright sinners who had refused to recognise the will and word of God now were repenting (like the first son). They had heard John the Baptist's preaching and Christ's too and were turning away from their disobedience and sin. Now they were finding a warm welcome in the arms of a loving forgiving Father, God. But what about the second son? He agreed on the surface but had no intention of obeying. That was what the Pharisees were doing. Outwardly they were making a big show of obeying God, but actually they did not practice what they preached. They rejected the very word of God which they said they knew so much about. What was the command both sons received? It could be paraphrased, 'Son, here is my will for you. I want you to obey it and do exactly what I am asking you'. That is not an unreasonable demand. God's will never is. If we are the sons of God, the Father should be able to expect our complete obedience. What did James say - Be doers of the word and not hearers only. |
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