#23 The Patient Father

[Matt 21:28] "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' [29] 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. [30]"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. [31]"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. [32]For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

Here we see a parable about brothers from the lips of Jesus concerning a father who requests that his two sons go work in the vineyard. The first son speaks from his feelings and declines, but because of his father’s patience, he “comes to his senses,” regrets his decision, and makes the correct one. I notice that Jesus says the first son changes his mind, not his heart. I think the first son’s heart has always been with the father, but he was rash in refusing to work. The father is patient enough to withhold judgment until the actions are seen.

The first son does what he felt like but at least learns from his mistakes. He is honest about his feelings, and can recognize his regret! He now knows that he made a wrong turn and deals with it. This son is represented by the hated tax collectors, prostitutes, and people of ill-repute, the outcast and marginalized, who repented when they heard John the Baptist preach about the kingdom of God. This is for those of us with the right heart, but the wrong actions. God will be patient with us if we wake up, repent when we do wrong, and keep listening for His voice (through prayer, reading scriptures, listening to Christian elders). So we need to be tuned to God’s voice. The first son sins, knows that he sinned, repented, and found fulfillment working in the Father’s house.

The second son is self-righteous and cannot see that he is off the path. The second son is being righteous as far as lip-service goes; speaking the words his father wants to hear. He knows what is right, but fails to do it, apparently without remorse. Jesus says that this son represents the Pharisees who do not believe the message of John the Baptist that they too should repent. They think that they possess enough moral strength on their own to live a righteous life, and fall way short. So Jesus gives them this warning through the parable – it’s not too late to listen, repent and work in the Father’s vineyard. But they won’t be first in line!

The parallel with this parable of two sons and the parable of the prodigal son and his elder brother seem identical in their actions with the father. [Luke 15:11-32]

God the Father is much more interested in faith in action, even when it is a stumbling faith. Christianity has never been just about what is right or wrong – the world knows that. But doing right can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit, which comes from repentance and submitting to God, not trying hard to be righteous on our own. Doing the will of the Father is not a matter of being perfect, but being teachable, open to God’s voice and encouragement.