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These three parables were designed to condemn the self-righteous Jew. However, as always, they were also to teach the Disciples.
A man had two sons. He asked them both to go out into the vineyard to work. One said no, but later decided to go, the other said yes, but did not go. Which of the two, did the will of the father?
Notice He describes two basic types of people. Those who promise better than they deliver, and those who deliver better than they promise. Science and psychology have for years excused human behavior on the basis of upbringing, opportunities and hereditary. But these two boys shared the same upbringing, opportunities and ancestry. However, God does not give all of His children the same talents, but we are all obligated to discharge our responsibilities as we claim we will do.
Those of you who find yourself, from time to time, in the position of asking people to do things, can appreciate these two answers. Lets look briefly at these two sons and their respective answers.
One son answered, "I will not go." No excuses, no reasons given, just a plain outright "no". All of us like to have some time when we have nothing to do and sometimes we have to say no. But it would appear that this son did not give enough thought to his answer and after due consideration, he decided he would go out and work as his father had asked him. The word is, "he repented". He allowed the Holy Spirit to work in his heart. Work is the evidence of repentance. Notice he did not repent and say, "Gee, I'm sorry I told my father that I wouldn't work today," and then continue to do nothing, no, he repented and then went out to work.
He was blessed with a father that left the "door opened" to the vineyard just as we are blessed with a Father who leaves the "door of repentance" open to us. We learn in the Book of Revelation that the 12 Gates of Heaven are never closed.
Now, what about the other son? The one that we are, perhaps, the most familiar with. "I will go, Sir." On the surface, there is respect and obedience. He said he would go, but he went not. Many, with their mouth, show obedience and concern, but do not back it up with actions and we all know that actions speak louder than words. Notice he doesn't go and find his father and ask for permission not to go, nor does he offer any reason why he did not go. It appears that he had no intention of going in the first place.
Now to Jesus' question, "Which, of the two, did the father's will?" Well, certainly neither was perfect. One was rude, if not truthful, and the other was false, but the question is, which of the two, ultimately, did the fathers will? Obviously it was the first one who said he would not go but later repented and went.
Now, what is the application that Jesus used to illustrate the unfaithfulness of Israel? He was showing how the tax collectors and harlots, those who had said they would not obey the Law but later repented and submitted to the Baptism of John, these were like the first son. The Priests and Elders who made a great show of respect and obedience were actually like the second son, full of mouth but no substance, and denied the doctrine of John.
John's doctrine was the way unto righteousness or rightness with God. His message was one of repentance and as proof that his doctrine was of God, it bore fruit. The tax collectors and harlots repented and were, thru Christ, saved. So the tax collectors and the harlots were symbolized by the first son and the Priests and Elders were symbolized by the second.
As Christians, we need this lesson today. A church's success can be measured by the number of each of the two sons that it has in its membership.
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