Slices
Prepare
‘I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full’ (Proverbs 8:20,21). Meditate on this verse and reflect on what this means for you.
Bible passage
The parable of the two sons
28 ‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”
29 ‘“I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 ‘Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go.
31 ‘Which of the two did what his father wanted?’
‘The first,’ they answered.
Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Explore
I wonder if you find this parable as challenging as I do. The behaviour of these sons reminds me of the responses we might expect from two teenagers, asked perhaps to tidy their room. One is a real grump, but after second thoughts and time to ‘get over himself’, can be relied upon to help, whereas the second is a real people-pleaser, who really means to help in the moment, yet gets distracted easily, not thinking about the consequences. I suspect we all have our own examples, but the challenge is to honestly identify the behaviour of these two sons within ourselves.
Are we willing to be humble, to reflect, repent and change direction when we’ve made a mistake, or are we tempted to say ‘yes’, knowing we look better to others, without ever meaning to follow through? And how much more critical to understand ourselves, when it’s Jesus asking the question. The parable sees Jesus challenging the religious leaders to examine their own behaviour: outwardly pious, yet inwardly corrupt compared to tax-collectors and prostitutes who, on second thoughts, choose the path of repentance and the way of righteousness.
‘What do you think?’ says Jesus (v 28).
Respond
Sit quietly with your hands open. What do you want to say to Jesus? Receive God’s gift of forgiveness as you pray.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 32,33; John 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Revealing Jesus pioneer Ian Kent as he develops work in new areas of the north-east and establishes relationships with new networks of churches. Pray for opportunities to create new partnerships and for more churches to catch the vision of revealing Jesus to the next generation.
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