Matthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 21:23-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Verse 24Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Verse 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' Verse 26But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." Verse 27So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Verse 28"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' Verse 29He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. Verse 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Verse 31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Verse 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Devotion
What do you think? Jesus says. It is hardly surprising that Jesus' story about the "two sons," told only here in Matthew's gospel, has puzzled many readers. In part, readers' thoughts may be driven by a concern to figure out "which of the sons did the father's will." If we could just figure that out, then we might have some clear instructions about how to order our lives. So it is frustrating when Jesus gives no indication about the correct answer. Instead he just brings us full circle and leaves us on the horns of the dilemma: "What do you think?"
Of course that is precisely the purpose of this little story – to drive us to wrestle with the implications of the coming of God's kingdom in this Jesus. What changes might come about in our lives and in our world if we were to believe that this Jesus is really God's Messiah – for us?
Prayer
O God, make our questions fruitful. In the midst of the choices we make each day, give us eyes of faith that enable us to see the coming of your kingdom in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.