The Unequal Sons – In Which One Am I Portrayed?
J. Albrecht…July 12th, 2026…Trinity 6…Matthew 21:28-32…The Unequal Sons–In Which One am I Portrayed?
28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said,`Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 “He answered and said,`I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 “Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said,`I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 32 “For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. Amen.
INJ Who graciously calls sinners like us to partake in the work of His Kingdom, DFR:
Where do the most profound transformations take place? You might think it would be right here, in church pews. But that isn’t always the case. One place the most profound transformations can take place is behind bars…in prison.
David Berkowitz was known as the Son of Sam. He terrorized New York City for a little over a year. Berkowitz was charged with 6 murders and sentenced to 25 years to life. However, it was while in prison that Berkowitz was confronted with the Gospel and became a born-again Christian. Now, only God knows if his heart is truly changed to Christ. But for us who can only look at the outward appearance, The blood of Jesus Christ our Lord certainly paid for every sin Berkowitz committed, even ones as heinous as murder. And the grace of our God is certainly deep enough to redeem even someone like him. Since his conversion, Berkowitz has refused to appear at any of his parole hearings, believing he is where he deserves to be as justice for the families. He also runs a Christian ministry program behind bars.
The example of David Berkowitz is on the extreme side, but it isn’t the exception. Every one of us starts in the exact same position as he was in relation to God. His life waws a living “NO” to God’s call to repent and believe in Jesus Christ. It is no different for you and me. Though the sins we commit aren’t consequentially worse than what Berkowitz did, by nature our lives too are a living “NO” to all of God’s commands. It is by the grace of God that we repent of our stubbornness and sinfulness and turn to align with His will.
That is the heart of our text this morning. We are confronted by two sons. One who refuses his father’s command, but later repents and obeys; and one who enthusiastically claims to obey, but who does not do what his father commands. The heart of this parable is the grace of God. It was the grace of our Father who calls us out of our sin and unbelief to repent and live our lives in obedience to Him. It is also God’s grace that doesn’t cast out the second, but rather raises the alarm bell to change before it is too late.
This morning, let us raise up the mirror of the Word of God to see the unequal sons – in which one am I portrayed? Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, Amen.
This short parable is only recorded in the book of Matthew. Jesus gives it at the height of the Pharisees animosity towards Him. And that provides us vital context to why He gives this parable. The Pharisees had questioned by what authority He did these things – namely cleansing the temple of the wicked merchants. Jesus responded with another question regarding John the Baptist. Where did his baptism come from? From God, or from man? The Pharisees were in a conundrum. They couldn’t admit it was from God, otherwise they should have believed. But if they say it was from man, they would draw the anger of the crowds who held John as a prophet.
They tried to weasel their way out of it by saying, “We don’t know.” So, Jesus gives them this parable. The parable of the two sons is so straightforward and simple, that the Pharisees convict themselves without even realizing it. Let us see how.
A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said,`Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 29 “He answered and said,`I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 “Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said,`I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
The father addresses his sons in love and affection. These are not his servants, but his dear children. The father here is God. The two sons are the two divisions into which all to whom the kingdom of God has come fall. The same love with which the Father addresses his children and calls them to work, commands likewise love and affection to be returned to the Father in obeying His command! Thus the force of the father’s gentle command is this, “Son, go show yourself to be my son today, by going into the vineyard and work.”
It is a reasonable request. One which we see Jesus talk about often in passages like John 15:8, By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. Faith ought never be separated from what God has called us to do – to be light and salt in this world by our word and actions.
When the father comes to the first son, the response is “No,” but, he later regrets it and goes. Jesus likens this son to the tax collectors and harlots. It is the path everyone takes into the Kingdom of God. By nature, “No” is all we can muster. Natural man detests the things of the Spirit of God, it recoils at the thought of reconciliation. No sin likes to be uncovered, called out, and condemned. But when the grace of God shines into the heart of a desperate sinner, that immediate “no” is replaced with remorse and a desire to do what God commands us to do.
The application to your life and mine is quite broad. How often do you and I kick against the goads of God’s will? Are we so bold to spit out “No” like Thomas who said, “I will not believe.” Are we obstinate when implored to be reconciled and friendly and say, “I will try to forget, but I will never forgive.” In the moment of trial, do we in doubt and dismissal say, “No; justice is denied me before God and my prayer is not heard,” How many ways our sinful flesh finds a way to spit No back at God!
But then, this son regrets, or repents of himself, and goes in the vineyard to work. What causes the change? Nothing other than the grace of God. In the parable, it is the gentle request of the Father. Have you ever been requested by someone in such a way that by their tone and way of requesting alone you honor that request? The father’s love for his child is what leads that child to obey in the end. So also, it is the undeserved love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord who turned the “I will not believe: of Thomas into, “My Lord, and my God!” It is the free forgiveness that God offers to you and me by Christ’s death and resurrection in our place, that leads not only to forgiving, but also forgetting. Yes, the confidence of the Father’s unwavering love for us, leads to shame over our doubt and dismissal of His tender care, and gives us the strength to wrestle on and declare with Jacob, “I will not let you go until you bless me.”
Such is the power of God’s grace. It is a total transformation from obstinance, rebellion, and rejection; to repentance, love, and commitment. John the Baptist taught, Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. Having received God’s grace and forgiveness, we are to go out into the vineyard, that is hear and obey God’s will as true children ought to do.
If you find yourself as that first son, do not hesitate. The Lord in His mercy, calls you away from the “No” of the flesh to the “Yes” of faith. You are not alone, but everyone here has been a needed recipient of His grace. There by the grace of God go I.
The second son receives the same request with the same familial love as the first. And the response is totally different. The second son gives an enthusiastic, “Yes!” It sounds as if he is already running to the door with shovel in hand ready to work. Do not be mistaken, this is the proper response when God calls. We should never think that it is better to first decline and afterwards go. It is best to say, “Yes, Lord, I will go” and go.
However, this son gives his intent, but never follows through on it. It was a performative yes. Think back to Mt. Sinai as the Children of Israel were leaving Egypt. Moses had brought them the Law of the Lord. Their response was, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. Yet, later in their history, their actions led the LORD to declare through the prophet Isaiah, This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me. Jesus applies it directly to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:3, They say and do not do.
We see this often, don’t we? Think of the confirmand who solemnly promise, “Yes, Lord, we will serve You, work in Your vineyard, root out sin with the sharp hoe of repentance, plant the seed of Your Word, water it with prayer, be content where You place us, in sunshine or amid thorns, and be faithful unto death” – and soon forget and leave all undone. Think of vows you make to your father or mother, wife or husband, to pastor or congregant, or even to the LORD – and how often these are forgotten and broken. Or how many seek after a little mammon of the world and abandon the truth of the Word.
This is what Jesus laid out before the Pharisees before He asked, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” Without missing a beat, the Pharisees responded the first son. It is obvious! Jesus laid is out so clearly that they couldn’t help but convict themselves. So will it be for anyone who does not do the will of God even if their mouth declares so. Is that not what David did when confronted with his sin? He condemned the wicked rich man, and Nathan said, “You are the man!”
The case against the sinner, when viewed in the clear light of truth and reality, will be so overwhelmingly simple and strong, that he will either convict himself like the Pharisees, or remain foolish towards his sin.
Jesus drives the case home, then, by applying this parable with John the Baptist’s message. There was no difference between the tax collectors, the harlots and the Pharisees. Nor is there any difference, spiritually between criminals like the Son of Sam and you and me. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. As this would cut deep in the heart of the Pharisees, it does the same to you and me. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. The reason we are all the same is because we are all sinners to whom God extends His mercy to save us.
And that is the exact lifeline Jesus throws to the Pharisees. He says the tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. The Kingdom of God is still open to them! Within a week Jesus would be betrayed, beaten, hung on the cross to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world, even the sins of the Pharisees who hated Him. His resurrection guaranteed that the Kingdom of Heaven would remain open, that is they could find forgiveness if they would turn and believe.
This second son is a wake-up call. If you find yourself identifying with that second son, it doesn’t mean your faith is dead. It is a reminder to hear the Word of God and keep it. Remember you have gained entrance into the Kingdom of God by His grace, through Your Savior Jesus. He continues to offer grace and forgiveness whether to those whose lives are an obstinate no, but repent; or to those whose lives are a complacent and self-righteous, “Yes, Lord,” but no action.
Let us be children of grace! Those who respond to our Father’s call with, “Yes, Lord!” and by His grace, we go and serve in His Kingdom. Amen.