I Go, Sir
by Richard Winstead
In Matthew 21 there is a record of a parable Jesus told
about obedience.
Matthew 21:28-32.
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
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 man told each of his sons to go into his vineyard and work. The first son was openly disrespectful and disobedient. No reason is given for this. Maybe he was just being obstinate. But in spite of his initial bad attitude, this son changed his mind and obeyed.
The second son said all the right words. This opens up avenues of interpretation and application in many areas. No reason is given to us for his not going. The possibilities include:
1. He initially intended to go, but simply changed his mind later and decided not to go.
2. He fully intended to go at the moment he said he would go, but then something came up, and he did something else. Friends may have come over and interfered with his plans; another pressing issue may have come up; or he may have just procrastinated until it was too late to go.
3. He may have given his answer with no intention of going. He may have just lied to his father’s face. Why would he do this? Maybe he didn’t want to be openly disrespectful; maybe he wanted to look good in his father’s eyes.
The central point Jesus was making, though, was this: actions speak louder than words. More specifically, obedient actions speak louder than pious promises of obedience.
What could be worse than saying that you’re going to go, and then not going? Saying that you went, when you never went! The apostle Paul describes some people like this in II Timothy 3. Let’s pick up the record in chapter 2.
II Timothy 2:22.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
One of the great follies of youth is the having the idea that you will always have more time. The truth is, tomorrow is not promised to us We don’t have time to be distracted by the desires that commonly beset young people.
II Timothy 2:23.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Don’t argue for arguments sake. The fact that an argument is about the Bible doesn’t make it spiritual, nor does that make it the right thing to do.
Questions that people ask because they don’t know or understand something aren’t “foolish and unlearned.” They are honest questions, and they need to be answered. Questions raised because someone doesn’t understand the scriptural basis of a teaching aren’t “foolish and unlearned.” We are to prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good. These types of questions need to be answered.
But some people raise questions just to argue, or to pressure others to fall in line with their beliefs. If the question doesn’t seem to be asked in order to increase the inquirer’s knowledge or understanding of God’s word, or if the person’s mind already seems to be made up on the subject they are asking about, it might be best to let the matter go. Such arguing tends to lead to strife, which is an indicator, not of spiritual maturity, but rather that carnal thinking may be involved.
II Timothy 2:24-26.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The attitude with which we teach, and even the attitude with which we confront people when they are wrong, must be meekness, gentleness, and a willingness to endure wrong done against us.
I Timothy 3:1-5.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
These are the people Paul was describing. They put on a godly front, as though they habitually work in their Father’s vineyard; but their actions (verses 2-4) are anything but godly, and bear witness that they’ve been doing something else entirely with their time
Jesus addressed a similar group in Matthew 15..
Matthew 15:7-9.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
These people say, “I go, sir.” Some even say, “I went.” But in reality, their hearts are far from God. Instead of God’s word, their standard for truth is rules taught by men. They are busy, but their work is just so much vain activity. Their worship is in vain.
“But,” they protest, “I went!”
Another option for the disobedient son is going to the vineyard, but not doing a lick of work!
Luke 6:46.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
This is what the second son did. But in reality, his heart was far from his Lord. In spite of what he said his intentions were, .he did not do what he was told to do.
Luke 6:47-49.
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Hearing God’s word and approving of God’s word is not enough; that leaves you with a house built on shifting sand. It is only when you do what the Lord said do that you are building your house on solid rock.
We must approach any and every situation with a desire to do his will out of a pure heart.
John 14:14.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
If you ask most Christians if they love Jesus, they will say yes. But how can you tell whether or not you really love the Lord?
John 14:15.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
This is the test: Are you doing what he said do? Obedience is the proof of our love.
John 14:16-19.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
It’s not enough just to be born again, to be a son of God. We must endeavor to go beyond that. The father in the parable wasn’t talking to his servants. He was talking to his sons. Both sons were called to service; only one carried out his father’s will.
When God tells you or moves you to do something, or when you see in God’s word what you are supposed to do, or when the love of God compels you to do something, don’t just mentally agree to it. Follow up your good thoughts with good works.
Don’t procrastinate. Tomorrow is not promised to us. Respond, “I go, Sir.” Then go.