Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-30
28 But what think you? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not. But afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir. And went not.
Although this parable seems simple, it is easy to miss the point. This parable is about so many today. Many of believers will put on a show. They will act like good Christians, but often it is a mask.
There are believers that go to church week after week. Yet in their heart, they cannot find forgiveness for others. Many Christians cannot wait to tell others what they have done for God. When in reality, there is little victory in their lives. Sadly, many believers will put on a show to hide their sins. When one does that they are hindering our own growth.
Matthew 21:31
31 Whether of them two did the will of father? They say to him, The first. Yeshua said to them, Verily I say to you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the Kingdom of God before you.
Publicans and harlots go first. It is because they do not try to be something they are not. Their sin is not hidden, neither do they try to hid it. It is before everyone to see. Their only choice is to repent.
As for the others, Yeshua tells them in Matthew 21:32.
32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And you, when you had seen it, repented not afterward, that you might believe him.
So many of today will hide their sins. They think that they can get away with it, because it is not obvious to others. Or possibly, they have rationalized that it is not a big sin. Because of that, many never truly repent. This hinders their growth in the Kingdom of God.
Continuing in this thought, Yeshua states in Matthew 21:42-44.
42 Yeshua said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I to you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken. But on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
If one continues to hid their sins or think that they do not matter; one of two things can happen. Eventually they will be broken and repent. Or, the sin will totally control them and they will be grounded to dust.
When the Pharisees heard this, their response was, Matthew 21:45-46.
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spoke of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet.
They wanted to get rid of Yeshua. They want to shut this guy up. He was making them look bad.
Many times believers try to do something quietly or just ignore their sin. When faced with sin, many will not listen to the word. Because it convicts them and makes them fell uncomfortable. They always want something that makes them feel good. If they continue down that path, they will find themselves far from the Kingdom of God.
Believers are to be transparent. They must be in a continuous state of willing repentance. Then, there would be no sin to hide or false masks to wear.
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