Scripture: Matthew 21:31a – “Which of the two did the will of his father?” (NRSVUE)
When I was in high school, one of the most important themes in English class was “appearance versus reality.” We saw this in Shakespeare plays like Macbeth, Hamlet, and Othello, as well as others. Pretty much everything we read tied back to this theme. The reason we did all this work was first to learn how to look for themes in literature critically. But the more important reason was the be aware of how people or promises might be more or less than they appear.
I have always been drawn to the parable of the two sons from the Gospel according to Matthew because it focuses on appearance versus reality as well as words versus actions. In the parable, there is a father who asks his two sons to work in the vineyard. The first says yes but never arrives to work, and the second says no, but shows up to work anyway. Jesus asks the Sadducees gathered to debunk him which does the will of the father? They of course answer the second.
How many of us when we ask for help have found ourselves high and dry when it comes time to getting things done? We hear so many excuses. “I was going to come but things were busier than I expected.” “I was just too tired.” “Wait, that was yesterday?” We are so disappointed, like what you are trying to do does not matter. But how much joy do we feel when someone says, “I don’t think I am going to make it,” then arrives to help? You feel validated that someone would change their plans just to help you out, that what you were trying is worth doing.
What is true for chores or work is also true for faith, which was Jesus’ greater point. The Sadducees tried to deny Jesus’ holiness because he associated with sinners instead of with the righteous. But Jesus saw that many of the so called, “righteous” did not actually do the things that they said they would. They always had excuses. But the sinners, even though they outwardly seemed to be rejecting God, were repentant and loving in both their acceptance of Christ and their love for one another.
This parable also stuck with me because there seem to be fewer and fewer Christians in our society, people that are saying “yes” when God calls them to work. But many Christians identify that way but do not actually live out their lives of faith. They are always making excuses, both personal and theological. But many so-called atheists deny that God exists or reject the church as backwards and superstitious. But they are the ones who are helping the poor and loving their neighbors no matter what. They say “no” to God but do the things God wants. Which, then, are the true Christians?
Our tradition teaches that you first must publicly express your faith in Jesus to be saved. But that tradition also teaches that one cannot do so without grace. Perhaps all those secular people are moved by the grace of God without even knowing it. So, instead of bemoaning how no one is Christian anymore, we should celebrate what our secular children are already doing and ask them to continue that spirit of charity and compassion together in a congregation. Ironically, the work may precede the faith. We should humbly ask what me might learn from them when we invited them to join us.
As for us Christians, we need to spend more time living out our faith, showing that same charity and compassion to the world. We need not only to say “yes” to the Father but also to do what we said we would do.
Prayer: God, help me to answer your call and follow through on my promises. Amen.
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