Presented, Sunday, July 6, 2008 am
THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS
Matthew 21:28-32
Today we want to study one of the many parables of Jesus. Jesus often used parables to teach. In many instances such as this one, He used parables to emphasize or answer questions that were asked of Him. Today we want to examine this parable and make some applications.
I. I. The Parable itself
a. The context – Jesus was questioned about His authority. This was toward the end of His ministry. The Jewish leaders were looking for cause to accuse Him. They question His authority for His actions, contrary to their traditions and His claims. Jesus challenges them with a question of His own – about the baptism of John. It was a question that regardless of how they answered it He would challenge them. Understand that there WAS a valid answer – the Jewish leaders just CHOSE to not answer because of the consequences.
b. The parable – This response led to Jesus speaking the parable of the two sons. In this parable:
i. A father has two sons.
ii. Both are called upon to do something for him. There is something to be said here about respect for one’s parents.
iii. One was rebellious and refused while the other said he would obey.
iv. However, the rebellious son considered and regretted what he had said while the second son who promised to do the work did not do it. Which one obeyed?
c. The application – The point Jesus made was this: Tax collectors and sinners would enter heaven before these Pharisees did. This was not because the Pharisees could NOT be saved, but because their attitude and service to God was not sincere. Jesus was teaching how much God despises hypocrisy and those who are self-righteous.
II. II. Lessons for us
a. The importance of obedience.
i. The real lesson of this parable is our need to obey God. What made tax collectors and sinners (drunkards, addicts, harlots, etc.) more likely candidates for heaven was a greater willingness to obey.
1. Jesus was NOT saying that all such sinners would be saved, but that they were more likely to obey. Why? 1) Because they are closer to “rock bottom” and 2) Because they have less to lose materially by totally submitting to God and 3) they are more likely to see a need for change.
2. It is an evident fact that most who are at “rock bottom” will NOT change. In fact many of them are bitter and so morally weak that they are not willing to change.
3. Now consider that Jesus says it is MORE likely that such will change and obey than one who is self-righteous. That ought to get our attention!
ii. God has always demanded obedience.
1. Matthew 7:21-27 – after pointedly saying that it is those who obey that will enter heaven, Jesus gives an illustration of two builders – one wise and one foolish. The wise builds on a proper foundation (he hears and obeys).
2. Luke 6:46 Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do the things which I say?” This leads to the wise and foolish builders (47-49).
3. James 1:22-25 calls for us to be doers of the word and NOT hearers only.
4. 1 John 5:3 says “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” Also see 1 John 2:3-6 which says that we know Him if we keep His commandments.
b. What is true repentance?
i.
The word for
“regretted” in the NKJV is an interesting word (repented – ASV,KJV). The word
that is used here is NOT the normal word for true repentance. Nor is it the
usual definition. This word deals with regret, but not necessarily true
repentance. Sometimes regret leads to true repentance but not always.
Thayer defines this word (metameletheis) as, “a care to one
afterward.” The word regret seems to fit better than repent because, as one
author put it, the word means, “to regret not because one feels he has done
anything wrong but because something did not turn out to his advantage.”
(Sermon starters, Vol. 1). This COULD describe a thief who is sorry (regrets)
he got caught. (But the word is NOT always used in a bad sense)
The word is used 6 times in the N.T.
1. It is used twice in this context. In vs. 29 and 32 where the refusal of the religious leaders to repent is mentioned. At the end of our parable Jesus notes that they did not afterward “relent and believe John.”
2. Matthew 27:3 - It is used of Judas Iscariot. Judas regretted what he had done, but rather than repent, he went out and hanged himself.
3. 2 Corinthians 7:8 (twice) – Paul while sorry he did not repent of writing a harsh letter to the Corinthians. Note: he did NOT believe he had sinned in writing it. (That is the difference between repentance and this word.
4. Hebrews 7:21 – God swore an oath “and will not repent.” He was not wrong and will NOT regret making Christ a priest after the order of Melchizedek. This passage lets us know that God does NOT regret removing the Levitical priesthood. It was actually His intention to do so.
ii. Contrast this with the true repentance Christians are called upon to have. Repentance is a subject many Christians do not fully understand.
1. The actual word most commonly used for repentance in the NT is (metanoeo), “to change one’s mind” (Thayer).
2. It is not enough for one to say he is sorry, to regret having done something or even to quit doing it. There needs to be a complete and total change of mind that leads to a transformation in one’s conduct in that particular area.
3. Far too many reason that they can keep doing wrong over and over but go to God in prayer and say, “I repent” and expect to be forgiven by Him. While God knows one’s sincerity and desire to change, He also knows our heart, whether or not deep down inside we intend to QUIT sinning. He knows if we are taking adequate measures to actually stop something at all costs or if we are simply want to stop doing something if the conditions are easy. Well the conditions of repentance are NEVER easy. The more engrained the conduct is the more difficult it will be to stop.
4.
A failure to
understand repentance is seen in the nation of Israel. Their history is a
roller coaster ride of faithfulness and rebellion toward God. Their problem was
a lack of TRUE repentance.
It is also seen in Judas Iscariot, king Saul and Balaam, just to name a few who
did NOT truly repent.
5. True repentance means REAL change in our lives. It is best described in 2 Corinthians 7 in the context we mentioned above (with the word used in our text). 2 Cor. 7:9-11 describes the degree to which one will go if he/she TRULY repents.
6.
TRUE repentance
is necessary for one to become a Christian.
Acts 2:38 calls for us to repent BEFORE we are baptized (Also 17:30-31, 3:19).
This is something that must be emphasized and clearly understood before becoming
a Christian. If it is not there, it is very likely that one will soon fall
away.
When Jesus taught in Matthew 28:19-20 that we are to observe all things it
involves repentance. That is something we must “get” before obeying the gospel.
c. What is important is HOW you end.
i. When your time is called to stand before God in judgment, your relationship with Him at that moment is what counts.
ii. This is clearly taught in scripture.
1. Revelation 2:10, to the persecuted church at Smyrna, the angel of the Lord said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
2. Revelation 14:13 says, “’Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.’”
3.
When Paul spoke
of disciplining his body lest he be disqualified, (1 Cor. 9:27) he
understood that God expected faithfulness to the end.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 as he was about to die, Paul was able to say he was ready
– because he was STILL faithful.
4. A good example of this is the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43). How he had lived prior to this we don’t know, but we know that as he died he was prepared to be with the Lord in paradise. This example is much abused by the religious world, but it does show that how you end your life DOES matter.
iii. But understand, that does NOT mean that you should live your life as if you have plenty of time to change. There are many reasons for this:
1. While old habits are hard to break, older habits are even harder.
2. You are NEVER guaranteed even another moment. We need to live as if this IS the end. James 4:14 calls our life a vapor. We know life is uncertain. Live each day as if it were your last and if God blesses you with another day – thank Him and give it to Him.
3. God deserves better than a wasted life with you giving Him just a small portion at the end. LEFTOVERS insult God!
4.
Furthermore,
God knows your motives. Will He even
accept “death bed repentance” from one who has lived a life of willful rebellion
reasoning they can make it right as the last moment?
Note: While I do NOT believe we are in any position to pass judgments on such
things (and I am fearful that such is what some do), and we ought to act with
the hope that in His love, compassion and mercy He will forgive, the fact is –
God KNOWS why you waited and how sincere your intentions are.
If you have lived in intentional rebellion knowing better, what right do you
have to demand His mercy at the last moment? Perhaps He will forgive (and that
IS my hope) but are you willing to gamble your eternal destiny on that fact?
REPENT right now and give Him the best of what you have left!
And thus we can see some lessons we can learn from this parable of Jesus. As you look at your life, which of these two sons more closely resembles how you react toward God. Do you profess a willingness to obey Him, and then immediately keep going on your usual path OR when you find that you have rebelled against Him will you truly repent and do the right thing. This morning you have an opportunity to make yourself right with him. Make up your mind right now to truly repent and serve Him with Your all. Perhaps this will be your last chance. Why not respond today?