The One Who Turned Around - The Story of Two Sons

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to him, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.(‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬-‭31‬ WEB)‬‬

Twenty-nine is our focus verse. The American Standard Version states, “And he answered and said, ‘I will not’: but afterward he repented himself, and went.”  In the Amplified Bible Classic Bible, we read, “And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and changed his mind and went.”  Notice the son repented. According to New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words, to repent means “to regret, reverse, or to reconsider.” (Strong 214)  In other words, when we repent, we change our minds about something or someone.  The son regretted his first answer and went into the field to work, as requested.  Conversely, the other son said he would do the task but did not do it at all.  

Where We Live

Focus on the changed mind and the decision. We say we will do something, get distracted, don’t do it, feel regret, reverse our decision, and go do it after all… All of these thoughts are mixed up in one huge pot of decision-making. Jesus praised the one who went and did the will of the father.  He even promoted the compliant son above the religious leaders of the time.  

God ain’t mad at us when we initially don’t follow through with something He asked us to do a while ago.  Be encouraged.  Some time has indeed passed. However, the Lord is the ultimate Redeemer of time.  It’s not too late to take care of kingdom business. 

Reflection

Is it time to have a conversation with the Divine?

His mercies endure forever.