What you say and what you do

‘Now what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons.’ He went to the older one and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” “I don’t want to,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. “Yes, sir?’ he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted?’  (verses 28-31)

Read Matthew 21: 23-32

Jesus makes it clear that even though you have often said no to faith in the past and have rebelled against the Lord, it’s good when you change your mind and say yes to faith and to working in the Lord’s vineyard.

Saying yes to faith certainly involves swallowing your pride. It also means confessing your rebellion and affirming complete reliance on Jesus. But in this regard we are all in the same situation before God. We all need to respond in the same way to God’s gracious invitation to work in his vineyard.

In the end, what you actually do as a worker in God’s vineyard is what is most important. You will often have trouble with motivation, you will often feel like opting out and taking things easy. At times you will just get lazy. But when you give up your rebellion and moaning and actually keep on being salt and light to those around you, you are being a faithful worker in the vineyard. When you do this, you are doing what your Father in heaven wants, and what he wants is what is best for you.

Heavenly Father, when I resist your can to be a faithful worker, forgive me. Make me willing to work in your vineyard and to produce good fruit. Amen.

by Adrian Kitson, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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