A TALE OF TWO SONS

A Tale of Two Sons

[Jesus said,] “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.”Matthew 21:28-30

In the parable of the two sons, it seems that both sons were disobedient. One offered eloquent promises, but his actions revealed a heartbeat of rebellion. The other son was openly defiant but later realized his error (“changed his mind”) and returned to work in the vineyard. Jesus was teaching his disciples that they should not base their opinion merely on outward appearances, for there is no protective facade when we stand before an omnipotent Father.

There is also a second lesson in this parable. Just as God discerns deceitful or rebellious hearts, he also recognizes those who return to him with broken and repentant spirits. Do you know people who have walked away from God’s calling on their lives? If you look only at outward appearances, you may be tempted to give up on them. But don’t write them off spiritually or distance yourself from them. Pray for them. Ask God to fill you with his love for them and to give you spiritual eyes that see them from his perspective. Believe that God is able to renew their hearts and save them. Ask the Holy Spirit to draw them back, and anticipate the day when they will turn away from disobedience and return to the arms of their Father.

LORD, help me to obey you wherever you lead me. I lift up those who have turned away from you. I believe, Lord, that you are able to draw them back to your heart, but help my unbelief. Help me to persevere in prayer and to stand in the gap until they turn to you as their Father.

THERE IS NOTHING THAT MAKES US LOVE A MAN SO MUCH AS PRAYING FOR HIM.William Law (1686–1761)