Probing Questions

We find Jesus boldly going to the temple in our gospel account for today. This, mind you, is the day after he drove out all “who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. “ An act against the religious authorities of his day. Thus the question of the chief priests and elders – they were the authority not Jesus. They had not given him permission to act and teach as he did. Soon they would counsel to kill him. They may have hoped to be able to do that by his answer to their question or that Jesus would discredit himself by his answer (since they seem to have asked this question in front of the crowd Jesus was teaching). Jesus, instead, asked his own question putting them in the hot seat. Now, standing before the crowd, they are they ones who may discredit themselves. Their plans backfire. This gives Jesus an opportunity to teach them a lesson.

Jesus’ lesson consists of three parables. We read the first one today. This parable about the two sons is only found in Matthew. It is an easy parable to understand. We all have had the experience of people saying no and then doing what we asked and others of saying yes and not doing the task, maybe, even with our own children. By placing this parable here Matthew has Jesus accusing the chief priests and elders of not doing the will of God. They did not answer God’s call proclaimed by John the Baptist. They did not recognize their sin and repent. But the harlots and tax collectors will be first in the kingdom of God, and the chief priests and elders will be last. The question that now must be asked, “Have you answered God’s call?”

Your answer, like everyone’s is, “sometimes.” We do not always answer God’s call or do his will. Often we answer our own will and convince ourselves that it is God’s. Other times we just do the opposite because that is what we desire. While we are the harlots and tax collectors – those not deserving the kingdom of God – we act like the chief priests and elders assuming it is ours by right. Answer God’s call given through John the Baptist. Repent and live the way of righteousness. The righteousness that only comes from Jesus, won for you through his life, death, and resurrection. Know that your answer to God’s call is Jesus. Live as Jesus calls you in a life that shares God’s love with all.