Daily Devotion for October 7

INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE

This is the first of three parables that respond to the criticism of the clergy of Jesus’ day.

The culture demanded that children obey and honor their parents, especially when they still live at home.

IMPLICATION: The clergy are called to obey their parent (Heavenly Father) especially when they still live at home (the creation belongs to God).

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 21:28 - 31

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."

NOTE

Pretend obedience versus Delayed Obedience

QUESTION: Which do you prefer in your child? Friend? Spouse?

NOTE:

The repentant son does the will of the father, and the unrepentant son does not do the will of the father and remains fruitless/unproductive (i.e. all talk and no action).

CHALLENGE

In Jesus’ day, the clergy where the ones that were the unrepentant son, all talk and no action; whereas the people who were repentant (prostitutes and sinners included) where the ones that were in the will of the father

QUESTION: Which one are we?