Posted on 07/22/2025 3:21:39 PM PDT by kawhill
In Matthew 21, Jesus tells a parable of two sons. One refuses to work in his father’s vineyard but later repents and serves his father; the second says he will do the work but ends up not following through.
(Excerpt) Read more at biblestudytools.com ...
I’m no expert. Isn’t it that the outer showing of being religious such as showing up at church and acting like we are above the sinners is not as valuable as the person who actually follows through with being on the narrow path in action?
The Church fathers can help out (from Aquinas’ “Golden Chain”):
https://www.ecatholic2000.com/catena/untitled-28.shtml
Easy, pleasing-sounding words versus change of mind actions.
And/Or,
Its better to say no then decide you will do something, rather than give your word and not follow through.
And/Or,
A glimpse of two different types of people, the pious unsaved, and the genuinely repentant.
sincere repentance, forgiveness and mercy
The father is a type of Christ.
In Hebrew times it would have been considered disgraceful for the father to run to the son with open arms.
Jesus Christ lowered himself to become a man made of flesh to be able to live a perfect life and offer Salvation through His atonement for our sins. He could only do this by become the God-man.
That is one of the lessons in the parable...the other one being that many of the religious rulers of the day were angry that Jesus was offering salvation and eternal life to those who hadn’t scrupulously observed the Jewish law. Namely, the sinners and outcasts, To those who merely, truly, believed in Jesus as the Messiah.
In the parable the good son is angry that the prodigal son gets a big “welcome back forgiveness” party,,,while good son gets nothing even though he has always been obedient to his father. The boys father is overjoyed that his lost son has returned and is now faithful. Same as God is when his lost children return to Him...
Brilliant expose of the self righteous religious leaders, while telling a very meaningful story...
So it could be that the answer to the question "By what authority do You do these things?" is in part based on Jesus living it like He means it (unlike the chief priests) -- shaddup you hypocrites, even the tax collectors are getting into Heaven before you and you dare question My authority? Especially given that the parable of the landowner seems to continue the theme of Jesus telling the chief priests that their status ain't what they claim it is. People who claim to be of religious authority but don't live it like they mean it are really at the low end of the religious totem pole (lower even than newbie believers who have repented).
Correct.
There are MANY lessons that can be gleaned from that parable, from obviously, the Father’s love for us, his extravagant mercy and grace to repentant sinners, the difference between true repentance and religiosity, the contrast between sinners and the saved, the contrast between the genuinely repentant and even believers playing at church, the tax collectors and publicans vs the pharisees,.......
It’s probably one of the most preached on accounts Jesus gave.
I think, also, it points up the difference between TALKING and actually doing something. People can talk a lot about their activities and intentions, but DO the opposite. And it is actions which count.
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Yup. I’m sure there are more, too.
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