Red Letter Bible Study--Matthew 21:28-32 (The parable of the two sons)

 Matthew 21:28-32

Verse 28 is an extension of the thought of verse 27.  He's addressing the same chief priests and elders of the people, and gives them a hint of the answer to their question from yesterday by speaking in a parable.  He talks about one man and two sons.  The first son says he will not work in the vineyard, but regrets it and does.  The second son says he will go, but doesn't.  He then invites them to discern which son actually did what the father asked.  They said the first son; Jesus then explains that's exactly right, but you may be surprised who the first son represents! Jesus ties together the original question of "Did John's authority come from God or man?" by telling them that they already knew, but refused to believe it.  

John being the forerunner of Christ Jesus was foretold in the chief priests and elders'  beloved Old Testament.  He came in the way of righteousness, a route that should have been crystal clear to them as they've devoted their lives to the study and so-called practice of righteousness. They have said "yes" they will go; but when God revealed His plan, they didn't follow.   The tax collectors and prostitutes had chosen for themselves different paths, going the opposite direction of anything that resembled righteousness.  They knew very little, if anything, about the coming of John the Baptist or Christ Jesus.  They've said "no" with their choices, but when God called them, they followed.  Jesus points out that even now, the religious leaders have refused to turn and believe.  

I love the first line of verse 28 "What do you think?" Studies like this, where it's just us and our Bibles, really encourage us to learn to think through the Bible.  The religious leaders definitely knew how to study and think, but when it came to the upside-down kingdom of God, they didn't not know how to learn.  The upside-down kingdom of God is often hard for me to understand, but thanks to the completed work of God, I can no longer say "I don't know".  I know to both say "I will go" and actually go.  I pray to be faithful.