Daily Devotional

This is a parable that Jesus tells the chief priests and the elders of the people. He describes two different responses to a command, the first rejects the command out of hand, but then eventually relents and follows the command. The second responds positively to the command from the outset but then never actually follows through. Jesus then asks the leaders, which of the two sons actually did the will of his father? They rightly respond in the following verses that the first is the one that did the will of his father. And Jesus responds by saying “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots will enter the kingdom of God before you.”

So what is Jesus saying here? It may seem fairly obvious that the one who actually did the will of his father and worked in the vineyard is the one who “did his father’s will.” But it is important to know who Jesus’ audience is here, it's the chief priests and elders who put on a lot of show regarding the things of God, but inward they are corrupt. Jesus is pointing out the fact that it is better to reject God and and eventually turn to Him later than to pretend to espouse the things of God, put on a good show for others, but then not actually follow after God.

You see it’s not about the works we do for God or otherwise. In Isaiah 64 he says that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. Our sin nature prevents us from doing anything good in our own power. That is why Jesus came to die for our sins as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, a sacrifice we could never offer because we ourselves are sinful. We can’t save ourselves, there isn’t enough good we can do to make up for or cover our sin. That’s why salvation is a gift, not based on a requirement, all we need to do is to accept it and believe.

Some believe that we have to work our way to heaven, that if we live a good enough life, regardless of our beliefs that God will accept us, even if those good deeds only appear good to others. But God knows our hearts and our innermost thoughts, there is nothing that can be hidden from him. Like the quote from Star Wars says “your thoughts betray you.” It's not about what we do for God, that is the lesson from the thief on the cross. As he is dying next to Jesus for crimes that warranted death by crucifixion, he turns to Jesus and in a final moment of belief declares that Jesus is innocent, he himself is guilty, and asks that Jesus remembers him when Jesus comes into his kingdom. And is Jesus’ response, sorry you lived an entire life as a criminal, it's too late? No, He says, truly I tell you, today, you will be with Me in paradise. The ultimate death bed conversion and Jesus accepts it. Which means He accepts you too, if you turn to Him, confess that He is Lord and believe that He was raised from the dead. If you accept the free gift of salvation, no matter what you have done, He will welcome you into His kingdom for eternity. Praise God for His amazing mercy and grace!

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.