The Two Sons

by: Lou Lotz

Think of all the ways people are evaluated. College admission boards, when judging between students, ask: Which one had the best grades in high school? But Jesus asks: “Which one did the will of his father?” Ministers are often judged by the size of their flock, or their eloquence in the pulpit. But Jesus asks: “Which one did the will of his father?” Judges select a coach of the year, a Miss America, a tournament MVP. But Jesus asks: “Which one did the will of his father?”

One son promises to go and work in the vineyard, but doesn’t go. The other son refuses to go, but then has a change of heart and goes. “Which one did the will of his father?” You know which one.

Think of the promises we make to God. When delivered from trouble of our own making, we promise never to commit that sin again. I will go, sir.” When a financial windfall comes, we promise to tithe. “I will go, sir.” When the doctor tells us that the lump in our breast is a harmless cyst, we vow to live a life of gratitude. “I will go, sir.” But we have not gone.

The Parable of the Two Sons holds promise: no matter how we have misbehaved in the past, we can repent and begin anew. But the parable also holds warning: what counts with God is righteous conduct, not well-intentioned promises. It is one thing to profess a faith, it is quite another to practice it.