Imperfect Obedience
Kingdom Citizenship - Part 1
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Matthew 21:23-32
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
Matthew 21:28-31a
Have you ever noticed that when we look at biblical stories, we tend to figure out which character is doing the right thing and identify ourselves with them. For example, whenever we see Jesus confronting the religious leaders we are more likely to identify ourselves with the disciples than with the chief priests or Pharisees. We would rather be the repentant tax collector than the rich young man who walks away from Jesus’ invitation because he is unwilling to sell his possessions (Matthew 19:16-22). And the list goes on.
In this story we naturally gravitate toward the son who does his father’s will rather than the one who makes an empty promise without following through. But we tend to overlook that fact that the first son refused the father’s request. Yes, he did it in the end, maybe even begrudgingly or out of guilt. We really don’t know. But either way, he was still disrespectful to the father. Like many of us, even those who have been obedient to God in various ways, he first tried to get out of his task. And if we’re honest, who among us has not tried to “run from God.” Even Moses had a hundred excuses of why he was not suited to be God’s ambassador to Pharaoh. God’s call is overwhelming, humbling, and even a bit (or more than a bit) terrifying. That’s why we say no. We want to preserve a sense of control over our own lives. We’re all for following Jesus when it means securing a spot in heaven after we die, but we’re not so sure about the whole “taking up your cross and dying to self" thing on this side of eternity.
Our first step is to stop assuming we are always the best of the two sons. We must quit pretending that we are the ones who say yes and do everything God asks of us. Reality check. We don’t. We have all broken promises to others and to God and we have all said no and later had a change of heart for any number of reasons. Even in our obedience, we are imperfect.
But that’s the beauty of this parable. Notice that both people in the story are called sons. Jesus admonishes those who have said all the right things to follow in the shoes of those who have turned and acted in obedience, like the repentant tax collectors and prostitutes in verse 31, but he does not condemn or cast out either son. In the end, both are the Father’s beloved. Obedient or not, God desperately wants them to open their hearts and live as part of the family together. The door remains open. This is a message of hope.
Wherever you find yourself in this story, know that God is calling you to more. At the same time, know that even in your imperfect obedience, you are still a beloved child who is welcome in your Father’s house.
Listen to this week’s sermon here:
