Religion or Reality – it’s never too late to obey the Lord. Matthew 21
Matthew 21 begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The scene moved to the Temple Matt 21:11, 12 where Jesus ‘drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves’. Jesus then began to heal the blind and lame at the Temple and the children shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David”. The chief priests and teachers of the law were angry at Jesus healings and the childrens’ shouts of joy, Life released in the place of religion.
Jesus spent the night at Bethany, perhaps at the home of Martha. Early in the morning, on His way back to the city, Jesus was hungry and went to a fig tree, but it had only leaves, no fruit. Jesus cursed the tree and it immediately withered. The ‘fig tree’ often represents the nation of Israel and the fact that it had leaves, ‘religious activity’ but no fruit, ‘no substance’ may have depicted the religious state of the nation. Much Religious observance but NO FRUIT.
The authority of Jesus was then questioned by the chief priests and elders of the people. ‘By what authority are You doing these things’? Jesus in turn asked them where John’s baptism was from, heaven or from men? They wouldn’t answer. Jesus didn’t leave it there, He told all around Him the Parable of the Two Sons.
A man went to his son and told him, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard. I will not he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.’ Matt 21:28, 29 ‘Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, I will sir, but did not go. Which of two did what the father wanted? The first they answered’.
Jesus then gave the explanation of the parable, which should have been quite shaming for the priests and scribes.
I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and 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 prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 21:31, 32
The first son represents the sinners, who didn’t want to come but changed their minds and repented. The second son represents those who say they ‘will obey’ but don’t – a pretence. Jesus said the despised and disreputable in society are the ones who are entering the Kingdom of God.
The sinners didn’t get it right at once but they did turn to the Lord. The respectable, religious refused to turn back to God. The call is to ‘come and work’ in the vineyard. Harvest time needs every pair of hands and harvest is here now but a huge harvest is coming. Let’s seek the Lord for our place to work for Him, He gave much for us.
God bless and keep you today.