“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

“Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.”
Matthew 21:28-32

Now this is a timeless parable. No historical context is required. It’s like Jesus was talking about my sister and me, back when we were teenagers. My parents would be heading out the door, giving us orders to complete before they got back.

One of us would say, “OK, fine,” with no intention of lifting a finger, and then exit the drama. But the other would resist, saying, “No, I won’t do it.” My exasperated parents would depart with threats about what would happen if the chores weren’t done when they got home. And ultimately, it would be the one who said no who would end up getting the chores done, because she knew she was going to be the one to get in trouble.

In some ways, it’s easier to say yes and not do it than to resist; it’s the savvy sibling who realizes that and keeps her disobedience off her parents’ radar.

Sometimes we think we can play the same game with our faith life. That somehow if we give all the appearances of compliance on the outside, God’s never going to see the hardness of our hearts.

But Jesus is talking to the leading priests and elders. They are masters of managing appearances. They’ve been running the temple in ways that appear to follow the letter of the law, meanwhile ignoring the heart of the law. Exploiting those who come to worship and vigilantly protecting their authority and power, rather than humbly serving the community.

You can’t just give lip service to God. Even though they seem to flout the law, sinners who repent and actually trust God, Jesus assures us, they are the ones who will get into the Kingdom of God.

Reflection: 

  • Were you a yes-but-don’t-do-it or a no-but-do-it kind of kid? How are each of these responses sinful?
  • The obedience of the first son could seem like work-righteousness, where we try to earn our way into heaven by doing religious activity. The compliance of the second could also be interpreted that way. What is the difference between the two responses? How do you know when obedience is more than just for show?