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?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this time to be with you. I believe in you, I believe that you know me, see me and hear me. I believe that you love me and want to speak with me this morning. I place all my trust in you. 

Petition: Draw me closer to you. Help me to put aside all distractions and to open my heart to your word.

1. A man had two sons. This is more than a comparison. God is not only like a father, he IS our Father. He gave us life, and he loves and sustains us with a fathers love.  The father has a right to ask his sons help because he is their father. He is not a manager or an employer, he has a claim on the hearts of his sons and therefore he feels he can ask of them what he might be reluctant to ask of others.

2. Going and not going. In this parable, Jesus focuses on two possible responses to this love. The first son gave an initial no, but later ended up going. The second immediately said yes, but never went. Love expressed in obedience is not simply a matter of words but includes action. We define who we are, what we believe in and where we stand more by our actions than our words. Our faith opens our minds to the reality of God and his love in such a way that it has to influence our actions.
Love expressed in our desire to do what he wants ether validates or belies the faith we say we have.  

What God asks of us may at times be difficult. It often is, since it sets us apart from those who do not have the same point of reference, and it is always difficult to be different. It takes courage to step out of the comfortable, socially acceptable blandness of our times. Christ himself says that his way is narrow, but paradoxically he says that his burden is light. Sometimes we may be tempted to fear Gods will, but when we stop to think of his lover for us.

Both sons know what they should really do. However, while the knowledge leads the first to repentance, it leads the second to insincerity.   

3. Tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom ahead of you. In other words, the greatest sinners, and he said this to those who considered themselves and were considered by others to be holy and religious. Jesus makes it clear to us that following him is not about posturing, that God sees things men do not see, or he sees the same things differently. It is no use dedicating so much energy to religious knowledge and custom if we do not acquire a proper relationship with God one leading to humility and obedience, readiness to pick up on his desires and fulfill them. What they were missing was not zeal but humility. Pride kept them from seeing their actions for what they were and repenting of their sin. They couldnt accept the fact that despite their best efforts they were sinners in need of a Messiah. The sinners were willing to recognize the error of their lives; they accepted Gods messenger and the grace of conversion to change their lives. After saying no to God, they finally repented and said yes, flocking to John in the desert to receive his baptism of repentance, while the others went on saying yes with their lips but no with their actions.

Conversation: Lord, you are my Father in heaven, creating me from nothing and redeeming me from sin. I know you deserve my love and my trust, and I know that you will only ask of me what is best for me, and you have given me work to do here on earth. I want to be open to your word and to your will. I know you are ready to forgive my tardiness, and that my efforts to improve will be acceptable to you and give you joy. I offer you this new day and the renewal of my commitment to put you and your Kingdom first.

Questionnaire:

1. Do I truly consider God my Father?

2. Which of the sons am I at the present time?

3. What is the one thing I could do today that would most please God? What is the work that he wants me to do in his vineyard?