Two Sons

Matthew 21:28-31

The Pharisees had just finished questioning Jesus about where he got his authority from when he told them a parable about two sons. One son told his father that he would work in the vineyard and didn't, while the other son said that he wouldn't work in the vineyard and did. Jesus said to them at the end of the parable, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For 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 saw this, you did not repent and believe him" (Matthew 21:31).

The tax collector doesn't initally show up as "most likely to be in the Kingdom". His greedy behavior belies that reality. The prostitute doesn't get many brownie points either. She isn't exactly on the list of "most respectable citizens".  But both the tax collector and the prostitute were ahead of the Pharisees in entering the Kingdom.

They were like the son who had told his father that he would not work in the vineyard but did. Their initial lives did not show promise, but they listened to Jesus, and they were open to who he was and willing to folllow him. The Pharisees had been looking pretty good until Jesus showed up. They had been doing all the right things. They were well respected (if not loved) by their community. But they were unwilling to change, unwilling to see that they needed Jesus as well.

I'm closer to a Pharisee than a tax collector. I'm the type of person (I think) that landlords want for renters and people wouldn't mind  having as a neighbor. But my respectabliity (read generally responsible behavior) does not preclude me from being a sinner. I still wrestle with a selfish heart. I still need a Savior.