A Simple Parable.

A SIMPLE PARABLE.

Matthew 21:28-32.

Now it was Jesus’ turn to pose a question, based on a simple parable. We must adjust our teaching method to suit the audience we have. “But what do you think?” asked Jesus (MATTHEW 21:28).

The picture was familiar: a man with two sons and a vineyard (MATTHEW 21:28). A son who was impertinent: who refused to go and work in the vineyard at his father’s bidding, but afterwards “repented,” and went (MATTHEW 21:29). Then the other son, who made a show of his obedience: “I go, sir,” but went not (MATTHEW 21:30).

The word translated “sir” in this place (MATTHEW 21:30) is elsewhere translated as ‘Lord’:

Jesus says, ‘Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven’ (cf. Matthew 7:21).

Well, which one did the will of his father? They could not deny it: the seemingly intractable one. Then came the shock: “the publicans and the harlots” are going into the kingdom of God before you, religious leaders (MATTHEW 21:31).

John came in “the way of righteousness” (MATTHEW 21:32) - which is the way of God - but the 'chief priests and the elders of the people' (cf. Matthew 21:23) did not believe him. However, "the publicans and the harlots" (MATTHEW 21:32) - representatives of all outsiders - did believe. And seeing this, the religious leaders still refused to repent.

There is still time for true repentance, and amendment of life: but in the meantime it is the doers of the word, not hearers (or even speakers) only (cf. James 1:22) who are partaking of the spiritual fruits of the vineyard.