Keeping thy words & our Action matters
Matthew 21:28-32
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them two who did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Words are powerful. How we use our words are very important, choosing the right words employs our conduct.
Usage of words hastily weakens the heart. Pleasant words pacifies a angry person. We read the scriptures how beautifully had the psalmist draws his words wisely, if we look at the proverbs it depicts the practical wisdom.. Job portrays an excellent genre of poetry displaying Sovereign God’s omnipotence.
Here in this parable we learn that how keeping ours words are important in life, its not hearing and leaving instead its hearing and doing. Our Actions matters more.
The historical context of this parable says, Jesus was addressing the chief priests and elders who were questioning the authority by which he was preaching and teaching and performing His miracles. The leaders were angry because Jesus was exposing their sinful actions and false teachings. Jesus knew they were baiting him into their snare with their questions, so instead of answering them directly, he used this parable.
Its meaning was in regards to John the Baptist and by whose authority John had been preaching..
The leaders acknowledged that the son who initially told his father he wouldn’t help but eventually did help was the one who did what the father wanted. Jesus used the example to point out their hypocritical ways.
Jesus was comparing the church leaders to the son who said he would help his father, but then his actions spoke the opposite. The leaders acted reverently, but their words were hollow and meaningless. They knew John the Baptist was prophesying for God about Jesus, but they denied it because they were threatened by Jesus’ divine authority.
On the other hand, those who had originally dismissed John the Baptist as a fraud later came to believe that John was actually foretelling of the Messiah and those original doubters became followers. These were the ‘sinners’ of the time, such as prostitutes and tax collectors. In the parable, these are represented by the son who originally said ‘No’ to his father but then came to help after a change of heart. And those were (and are) the people who came to please God also, even after their original unbelief.
Through the parable, the church leaders understood which son had actually pleased the father. Jesus used the example to call them out on their own behavior as hypocrites, catching them in their own snare.
God has invited each of us to work in His vineyard – to follow Him and use our lives for His purpose. If we say Yes, our actions are what really matters…
If we say No, we can always choose to say Yes later. We are always welcome.
One of the beautiful things about God is his enduring grace, forgiveness, and love for His people. He doesn’t give up on us, even when our backs are turned to Him and we keep telling Him ‘No’. He patiently waits for the ‘Yes’. We are all His children, beloved and welcomed to join His Kingdom for eternity. He’s waiting with open arms and there’s room enough for all of us.
Prayer
Thankyou Lord for this valuable spiritual lessons learnt from this parable.. Help us to keep our words in actions .. Not to disobey your truth. Obedience is the fruit of salvation. Help us to be conformed always to your words. Amen.
Sol.Celin Portia