"What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him. (Mt 21:28-32)
“A man had two sons”. The story talks about the kingdom as a family. Family had a father and sons and the relationship between them is one of dependence, responsibility, duty, rights, and service etc. The father of the family has the right to expect from his sons the service required in the family or for the family. The way the sons respond to him depends upon their sense of belonging to the family.
The first one responded negatively but later changed his mind and went to do the work. The second one affirmed his going but did not go. Their verbal answer did not show who they were or their sense of belonging. Their response in action was what mattered in this story. Belonging to the family depended on their response in deeds. The first son, though reacted negatively but repented.
The kingdom is like a family where there is relationship among its members and there is a sense of belonging among them. The relationship and the sense of belonging are seen in their response to the demands of the kingdom. The response has to be seen in their actions. The essential element in belonging to the family is change of heart believing in Jesus.
