Read: Matthew 21:28-32
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 19-21; 2 Corinthians 7
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. -1 John
3:18
The email from the student in my college writing class expressed urgency. It
was the end of the semester, and he realized he needed a better grade to
participate in sports. What could he do? He had missed some assignments, so
I gave him two days to complete those papers and improve his grade. His
response: "Thank you. I'll do it."
Two days-and the deadline-passed, and no papers appeared. He didn't back up
his words with action.
Jesus told about a young man who did something similar. The boy's dad asked
him to do some work in the vineyard. The son said, "I will, sir" (Matt.
21:30). But he was all talk and no action.
In commenting on this parable, Matthew Henry concluded: "Buds and blossoms
are not fruit." The buds and blossoms of our words, which breed anticipation
of what we might do, are empty without the fruit of our follow-through.
Jesus' main application was to religious leaders who spoke of obedience yet
refused to follow through with repentance. But the words apply to us as
well. It is in following God "with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18)-not
in making empty promises-that we honor our Lord and Savior.
Our actions in obeying God show Him more love, honor, and praise than any
empty words we might say to try to appear good. -Dave Branon
Dear Father, help me to follow through on my promises to You and to all who
depend on me. Especially help me to do Your will and not just talk about it.
Words are the blossoms, action the fruit.
INSIGHT: Matthew 21 describes several events in the life of Christ. This
chapter opens with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (vv. 1-11) followed
by the cleansing of the temple (vv. 12-17) and the cursing of the fig tree
(vv. 18-22). Then the parable of the two sons follows a debate with the
religious leaders about Jesus' authority (vv. 23-32). It is this issue that
forms the context of the parable, for it deals with how the sons responded
to authority. The son who did his father's wishes was the one who honored
his father. Bill Crowder
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Victoria E Gilkerson
