This week's devotion is from Deacon Bob Lewis based on Matthew 21:28-32

 

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the  kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

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In this parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning) we see two sons who are asked by their father to do some work for him in the vineyard.  The first son says nope, not gonna happen Dad, but then has a change of mind, and probably heart, and goes out to the vineyard and works. The second son when asked by his father to work in the vineyard says yes, I’ll go and do it, but then he doesn’t.  It looks like son #1 maybe had second thoughts. Maybe he thought about how good his father has been to him, caring for him, teaching him, feeding him, loving him. After thinking about this does he change his mind out of guilt or out of love for this father?

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Our church is like God’s vineyard. It needs to be tended to so it can produce good fruit. As Christians we are called to do good works. Think, “God’s work, our hands”. We all know that there is work to be done for the kingdom of God here at Calvary. There is plenty to do, both big, not so big, and small things and it all helps. And it’s all appreciated.  So if you’re ever asked to do some work in the vineyard we call Calvary Lutheran Church what will your answer be? Or better yet, because sometimes we’re not good at asking for help, just ask if there’s some work in the vineyard for you to do. And remember, it doesn’t have to be a BIG thing. It’s whatever your God given time and talent will allow. And saying yes shouldn’t be out of guilt, but out of the love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who didn’t say no to His father who asked Him to give His life for us.

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