MATT. 21:28-3228But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. (Matthew 21:28‑32).
THE rulers had openly challenged the Lord Jesus, and called in question His authority. He had answered them, to their own confusion, exposing the shameful dishonesty of their hearts. and now He speaks to them in parables, declaring their wickedness, and announcing the judgment awaiting them.
The first parable He speaks is that of the two sons. To the first he says “Go work today in My vineyard.” The son replied, “I will not.” But he afterwards repented, and went into the vineyard to work. The man also commanded the second son to go and work in the vineyard; and he said: “I go, sir.” But he did not go. Jesus asks which of the two did his father’s will. They said to Him, “The first,” that is, the one who at first would not go, but who repented, and then went.
Now whom did these two sons represent? The first represented the publicans and harlots who had been living in open sin, but who believed the preaching of John the Baptist, and repented; and who gladly received the teaching of Jesus and entered into the kingdom of God, to serve Him in His vineyard. The second son represented the rulers of the people, the Pharisees, and all those self-righteous Jews who pretended to serve God, but who did not. They were just as great sinners as the publicans and harlots, only in a different way; and when they heard the preaching of John they did not repent, and they did not receive Jesus, nor believe in Him. So they did not enter the kingdom of God to serve Him in His vineyard.
Thus Jesus exposed the sad and rebellious condition of those very men who pretended to serve God, but who were only hypocrites.
Well, are there none at the present day who answer to these two classes? Have we not those amongst us today who are openly sinful and profane? And have we not those who pretend to be good, and to serve God, but who do not? Yes, there are plenty of both these classes.
Let me say to you, dear young reader, if you belong to either of these classes, you need Jesus as your Saviour. If you are openly sinful and profane you know that you need a Saviour! And if, like the rulers, you reject Jesus, but think you are good, your condition is no better, but worse. The hypocrites and self-righteous people who think themselves good enough will find themselves consigned to the same hell, the same lake of fire, as the openly wicked and profane. If there is any difference, their hell will be a deeper hell.
Oh! may you be like the publicans and harlots who repented, and entered the kingdom of God. God calls upon you, to believe in His Son, and to own Him as your Saviour and Lord, and to enter the vineyard, and work for Him. Obey the call. Obey now.
ML 04/12/1903