Matthew 21:28-32 (KJV)
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
The first lesson is that we should not be rash in making decisions and let emotions cloud us. “James 1:19 (KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”. Let us think and count the cost before be say yes or no.
The second lesson is when we commit to something we should not change our mind even it it hurts. Integrity is at stake. “James 5:12 (KJV) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
The third lesson is that acknowledgment of what GOD says is one thing but obedience to what GOD says is what counts as it says in part of 1 Samuel 15:22 “to obey is better than sacrifice ”.
The fourth lesson is that hypocrisy, like the first son pretended obedience, is deception. “1 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
The fifth lesson is that repentance is a change of mind. The second son rebelled but repented. Just like the tax collectors and harlots who believed. The first son did not realise that he also sinned and was required to believe and repent. This is actually everyone state. We all have sinned and missed the mark and needs GOD’s mercy and grace, His forgiveness. That is why Jesus Christ came so that we can obey GOD by believing in Jesus and as a result following Him.
“Romans 3:22-26 (KJV) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”