Two Sons (Who Do You Say I Am): Scripture and Reflection

Scripture Connections

Matthew 21:28–32 — Jesus’ parable of the two sons contrasts empty words with repentance, faith, and doing the Father’s will.

Matthew 16:15–16 — Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter confesses him as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 11:25–27 — Jesus is the resurrection and the life; everyone who believes in him is called to confess him as the Christ, the Son of God.

Romans 10:9–11 — Salvation is tied to confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised him from the dead.

Hebrews 3:7–8, 12–15 — Do not harden your heart; respond to God’s voice today with persevering faith.

John 20:30–31 — John’s Gospel was written so that we may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in his name.

From the Journey

I had been thinking about the Parable of the Two Sons, and it also happened to be Easter. That was probably the biggest reason for verse 3.

I am a father of three children—two sons and a daughter. When they were younger, I expected them to do as I told them. Of course, as they grew older, I lost some of that authority. Still, I believe that if I asked any one of them to do something for me, it would happen.

I am also a son, though my parents are no longer with us. I know I did not always obey my dad. Yet I think I would have done something he asked me to do, even though I have to admit that I did not always volunteer when he did not ask.

I am also a son of my Father in heaven. In that respect, I see myself in both sons in the parable. Sometimes I say “no” to God, but later repent. At other times, I say “yes,” but my follow-through is not what it should be. Often there is a “for now” moment, like in the song, when I have not yet rightly responded to my Father’s call to do his will. Even with that confession, my hope is not in the quality of my obedience, but in Jesus Christ. I trust that God will raise me to life because I believe the Father’s promise and believe in Jesus Christ, his Son.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. In the Parable of the Two Sons, the father tells each son, “Go work today in the vineyard.” One son says he will go but does not; the other says he will not go but later changes his mind and goes. At the moment of their answers, neither son has yet done the father’s will. Jesus’ question is: “Which of the two did the will of his father?” (Matthew 21:28–31).

We may sometimes give an answer simply to end a conversation, or initially refuse a request but later change our minds. Can I identify situations in my own life in which I have resembled either son? What helped—or might help—me move from words or intentions to faithful action?

2. Scripture teaches that “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God also promises, “I will give you a new heart,” replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh and putting his Spirit within his people (Ezekiel 36:26–27). God warns his people not to harden their hearts when they hear his voice (Hebrews 3:7–8, 12–15). Ezekiel’s promise first addressed Israel’s restoration, but Christians rightly see it as a foundational picture of God’s gracious, Spirit-given inner renewal.

The song says that God works with soft hearts. At the same time, Scripture teaches both that people can harden their hearts and that God graciously gives new hearts. Where do I see evidence of God’s softening and renewing grace in my life? Are there areas in which I may be resisting his call and need to ask for a responsive heart?

3. John identifies Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God and was God, and who “became flesh” (John 1:1, 14). The New Testament proclaims that Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. Paul says that Abraham’s faith “was credited to him as righteousness,” and he applies that truth to those who believe in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:22–25).

We are not saved by the quality or quantity of our works; salvation rests on God’s grace in Christ. Yet God’s grace forms a people who respond to him in faith and increasingly do his will (Ephesians 2:8–10; Ezekiel 36:26–27).

How does trusting Jesus—the crucified and risen Christ—change my desire and ability to do the Father’s will? In what ways can remembering God’s promise move me from guilt-driven effort toward grateful, faith-filled obedience?