Which of the two did the will of his father? – Matthew 21:31
When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah. Jesus responded, “Go and tell John what you hear and see, the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matthew 11:2-6).
Now, after Jesus had made His final entry into Jerusalem, those who were offended by Him, Israel’s religious leaders, continued to question His authority.
Jesus’ parable of the two sons exemplified the relationship of the leaders to the Lord.
A father asks each son to go and work in his vineyard. The first son refuses but later repents and goes to work. The second son respectfully answers that he will go, but never does. Which son has been obedient? The logical answer is the first son. By implication, the religious leaders were like the second son who was respectful but disobedient. The leaders professed righteousness and obedience to God, but inwardly their hearts were prideful and far from practicing the love of God.
As sinners, everyone falls short but, if you are a believer in Christ as your Savior, you are a new creation with the Holy Spirit living within you.
Take time now to evaluate your responses to God as you learn to do His will.
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