2024
They perceived that He was talking about them…
Off the Chain / 0 Comments /The past week has been typical for me in the ministry, I have done one on one bible study/counseling sessions with 17 men in two different prisons and three at the transition houses. In those sessions we studied about gifts of the Holy Spirit, sexual sin, commitment, dying with Christ, marriage, transition plans, money, and other things I can’t even remember now! It is interesting to me that in several of those interactions and in one group study, I was able to apply one specific parable of Jesus repeatedly. In Matthew 21:28-32 is what is commonly referred to as the parable of the two sons. When I refer to the parable by that description, most men think of the parable of the prodigal son instead. This parable, though not as well known, has a powerful message. Here it is in the ESV…
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 go, 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.
Unlike some other of Jesus’ parables, this parable and the parable of the vineyard tenants that immediately follows, both teach a lesson so obvious that it is no wonder his audience “perceived that he was talking about them” (21:45). This parable lays out a simple yet profound truth – it doesn’t matter how much we say we want to please God, how much we say we love God, how much we say we want to honor God, or how much we will pledge to do for God, there is no value unless we do those things. The parable reminds me of a common saying that is often quoted even by those in the world, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Maybe this is where the saying originated.
I have used this parable to apply to so many diverse situations lately. A brother missed the Sunday assembly at Lawtey, and I inquired why he wasn’t there. He said he wanted to be and got ready to go, but just didn’t make it. He proceeded to tell me how important the assembly is to him, etc. I quoted to him this parable and he “perceived that he was talking about them.” He realized all the declarations of importance hold no value when you don’t actually go when you can.
I challenged another brother that is in our transition program with the same parable. He has struggled doing things that he knows are right for a while. His righteousness is spotty and inconsistent. While I was pointing out several of his moral lapses over the last few months, I challenged him to consider that he still loves the world more than he loves God. He countered by declaring how important serving God is to Him and how much he does love God and not the world anymore. I then read the parable to him. He protested at first but then he “perceived that he was talking about them.” He finally said I guess you are right.
It is Jesus who is right about how easy it is for us to confuse profession of faith with obedience from the heart – Romans 6:17-18. This self-deception is easy to see in the prisons as men walk around constantly praising Jesus with their lips but denying Him with their actions. They say they want to go, but they don’t go. So many men declare that they loved their children before their incarceration, but in reality, were living lives that were harming them. It is easy to say I love my kids. It is far more challenging to sacrifice self to do it.
Actually going and working in the vineyard is hard.
There are other examples I could give, but you get the application. This parable should challenge all of us to evaluate what we say and see if it aligns with what we do. I know it has been a challenge for me in my life to consistently do what my lips say I want to do. It takes a lot of courage to examine ourselves in this area. Jesus’ words really are able to pierce to the thoughts and intentions of our hearts – Hebrews 4:12.
Thank you for hearing me out this month and for all the faithful support – prayers, encouraging words, and financial gifts. You make it easier for me to go and work in the vineyard every day.
