Missionary Renegade: The Daiy Guide. grow. pray. study. in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 10 June 2016

Saturday, June 11, 2016

The Daiy Guide. grow. pray. study. in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 10 June 2016 - “Which one did his father’s will?”

The Daiy Guide. grow. pray. study. in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Friday, 10 June 2016 - “Which one did his father’s will?”
Daily Scripture: Matthew 21:28 “But give me your opinion: a man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I don’t want to’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they replied. “That’s right!” Yeshua said to them. “I tell you that the tax-collectors and prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you!
Reflection Questions:
Jesus used parent/child relationships to cast light on our life with God. In this story, he asked which is better: giving a parent nice words while ignoring their wishes, or expressing your inner resistance and then doing what the parent asked you to do? The answer seemed simple. But it’s not always as simple to apply it to your walk with God, then or now.

Jesus’ story contrasted a son who talked a good game with a son who ended up actually doing what his father asked. Which son was more authentic, and less concerned about “looking good”? In what areas, if any, are you aware of a need to grow toward greater authenticity in your spiritual life? Ask God for the courage to speak the truth in love to yourself, others and God.
In Jesus’ day, people didn't just dislike tax collectors. They despised them—often rightly—as traitors who abused the poor. In Jesus' day, prostitutes were, well, prostitutes. How could Jesus say prostitutes and tax collectors were entering God’s Kingdom before the religious leaders? For what reasons does God prefer honest repentance to pious words that don’t match our lives?

Today’s Prayer:
Lord Jesus, as you show me the kind of life you are calling me to lead, I want to say “yes” to your call—and I want to mean it, to live out the “yes” that I say. Amen.
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Insights from Ginger Rothhaas

Ginger Rothhaas is a seminary student at Saint Paul School of Theology and is serving in Congregational Care at The Church of the Resurrection.
Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to invite the chief priests and elders into introspection about their faith and behaviors. He tells the story of a father asking his two sons to work in the vineyard. One son says he won’t work, but then later decides to do the work. The other son says he will do the work, but then never does. Jesus asks the priests and elders, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
When we read this parable, these clichés and quotes may come to mind:

Walk the talk.
Actions speak louder than words.
Well done is better than well said. –Benjamin Franklin
When people show you who they really are, believe them. –Maya Angelou
What you do speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am at my parent’s ranch in the Flint Hills of Kansas as I write this blog. In cowboy country, the phrase “big hat, no cattle” is used to describe someone who talks a big game but does not have a true depth of experience with ranching. I have heard my dad use another cowboy-ism to describe a not-so-pretty horse. He says, “Pretty is as pretty does.” This means that the horse gets better looking if it takes good care of its rider. These phrases echo what Jesus is teaching us in this parable of the two sons.
Jesus goes on to say that the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of these priests and elders. He sees the tax collectors and prostitutes who have listened to John the Baptist’s teaching and repented. He sees their heart, their new awareness of their higher purpose. It appears that God also believes “pretty is as pretty does,” that where their hearts are matters more than how society judges them.
Over-promising and under-delivering is part of our human experience. We may have good intentions and hope to make good on a promise, but for some reason we tend to fall short of delivering on the promise. Sometimes we find ourselves saying “yes” to something we have no intention of following through on. Other times we get caught in the moment, trying to impress someone, but forget to be authentic and truthful. These things are all part of being human, but we are called to do better than give in to these tendencies.
What Jesus is asking of us is to pause and question ourselves. Which son are we in the story? Are we pretending to be something we are not? Are we telling the truth of whom we are and what we intend to do? Are we authentic in our families, careers, and churches?
Maybe this parable is inviting us to walk the talk in loving God and loving others. Being humble, authentic, and serving in love are what this parable calls us to. Let’s put that into action today!