Stories Jesus Told:the Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32 1-24-10

Stories Jesus Told:the Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32 1-24-10

The Parable of the Two Sons
28What 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. 30Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'i will sir,' but he did not go. 31Which of the two did what his father wanted?' "the first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For 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 say this, you did not repent and believe him.

Why did Jesus tell this story?
He faced three groups of people...
Which are you? [conf class kids]

So he begins...what do you think?
Consider this. Stop for a minute and think about this.
What is your opinion?

This is a simple story- vs. spy vs spy
Like this, not like that...Like them, not like you.
"tax collectors and prostitutes" are examples of obedience
the religions authorities, the traditional symbols of piety and obedience, that are judged morally wrong and spiritually empty.

Where is Jesus in this story - which son was Jesus?
not one...not a player...sinless and obedient
Clearly siding with the 'sinners'

Jesus was not a part of the "in" crowd.
He was despised by the religious leaders of his day.
Be loved by the common people because he ran with them, he welcomed them, he loved them,
he taught them their life's purpose...to love one another.
The others, well they were unteachable
They were majoring in dogmas and minoring in forgiveness.
They did not get it....

A church in the St Louis area was going thru a consultation
They had no young people and they were shrinking
Recommended to change their rituals - refuse rather die

Story of two sons like - other stories that Jesus told
the Pharisee and the publican - I am glad that I am not like those others - publican - God be merciful to me a sinner

the inside of the cup - Luke 11:37-41
37When Jesus has finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38but the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.

39then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You foolish people! did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

we have a choice in this life of being normal, relevant and regular or being pretentious and self righteous.

Pretentious - to make an exaggerated claim - an exaggerated sense of one's own importance...
The moment you look down on someone else, you become the second son
and the moment you do this, you lose your audience with them...

Pretense in our world - if you are my age, you grew up with it...
Ozzie & Harriet, My 3 Sons, Leave It To Beaver, Brady Bunch
vs Mash, Seinfeld, Friends, Modern Family
[revolutionary road - backdoor look at 50's marriage]
You do love me, no I don't, yes you do
I married you because you made me laugh once at a party

In the first there is a pretend
In the second, there is a reality.

Not all are that don't get it are pretentious - sincere but irrelevant
the street preacher

Where are you?
Which group do you put yourself into

Group of the second son?
I know. I have it. The answers are mine. I am blessed.
Get stuck in their righteousness and forget the work of God

very easy for "Christian people" to hurt others
in your face evangelism
church bumper sticker car - cuts you off passes the homeless
meatballs
1980 radio at Forbes construction
10. The Rose, Bette Midler
14. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me, Girl, Spinners
32. Sailing, Christopher Cross
46. Heartbreak Tonight, Eagles
55. All Out of Love, Air Supply
56. Cool Change, Little River Band
81. The Long Run, Eagles
83. Heartbreaker, Pat Benatar
87. Sara, Fleetwood Mac
93. You Decorated My Life, Kenny Rogers

Hopefully, you are in the Group of the first son...
We are all sinners. I am in need. I am less than perfect.
Without God, I am a ship tossed by the waves.
But he calls me to leave and I am doing that the best I can

What does this story of the two sons mean to us?
You are accepted as you are, welcomed as you are
You are invited to do into the vineyard as you are...

You the broken, the less than perfect, the humble
You who know you need him, you welcome others
You who are honest about who you are
the fathers vineyard awaits you
You are his voice, you are loved, you are free