When you say yes do you really mean it?  Today we would be looking at following through on our yes in  Matthew 21:28-32

The text is a parable:

What is a parable? A parable is a story with an heavenly meaning

A parable is a succinct made up story designed to illustrate a lesson through comparison. Parables have human characters. When you hear the story, you can relate it to your own life. A parable conveys a message of truth.

This is the parable of the 2 sons. In these bible verses

Who, What, When, Where, and How tool

A father  with 2 sons

The sons are given instruction to do some work

The first says No to his father but later no goes to the work

The second son Yes to his father but did not do the work

Jesus likened this parable to the Jewish leadsers and the tax collectors and prostitutes.

What does (this parable ) mean? 

The first son is likened tot he tax, collectors, prostitutes and sinners. They refused to obey God’s law and continue in their sin. But as soon as they heard of John the Baptist preaching, they changed and turned around (repent) to obey God and do the work of God’s kingdom.

The second son is likened to the Jewish teacher and leaders, who by reason of  knowledge say the right things. Saying will obey God but their actions are disobedient to  the instructions of God.

This is a reproving parable. It was to appeal to those depicted as the second son to judge themselves. This kind of parable has been used in the scriptures to grab the attention of people to see their actions objectively and judge the situation without being biased as to rationalize or excuse their own actions. “An example is when prophet Nathan told king David a parable which in turn generated  righteous anger within David and  with the zeal to seek justice for helpless victims. But when David saw himself as the perpetrator in the parable, he repented”

How does it apply to me today?

While verbalizing our commitment to God matters, but it is our actions that determine what matters most is do we follow God’s instructions?

When our words and actions do not match. 

When we don’t follow through with what we know to do that is right.

Why didn’t they ( the religious leaders) believe John the Baptist? These Jewish teachers knew the law and could verify that what John was preaching was according to the scriptures. So why didn’t they believe him? Could it be John’s appearance? When the messenger God’s send is dismissed because they don’t fit into our box of how we want God to respond. 

How we act to the message of God is important. Do we dismiss it

Doer of the word

Both sons had one father. Both sons had their faults, one was rude and the other was false.

 God gives the rule in 

Ezek. 18 21-24, that if the sinner turn from his wickedness, he shall be pardoned; and if the righteous man turn from his righteousness, he shall be rejected. 

What do you do with God’s instructions? Are you a listener, Are you a reader or are you a doer of them?

While hearing and reading God’s instruction is great, it is when we do it that counts.

Just James says in James 1:22–25 we read: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.