Hook, Line and Sinker

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
Parable of the two sons
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 21:23-32 

 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

On Tuesdays, I’ve been picking up my five-year-old granddaughter from preschool, taking her home for lunch and then dropping her off at her afternoon school. She’s kind of a character and does things to be funny that actually are funny.

 

Today, she was running late, so I told her to hurry up and finish her lunch. She responded by saying that she wanted an apple sauce packet. Her Mom said that she could take it with her in the car with Grandpa.

 

About half way to school she said, “Here Grandpa. You can have my apple sauce”. I declined and told her that it was hers; that she should eat it. But she said, “No. It’s for you Grandpa. It’s a gift”. Taking the container, I thanked her and told her how thoughtful she was.

 

After dropping her off at school, I got back in the car and looked down at the gift. What a sweet granddaughter to share her lunch with me like that. Not every five year old would be so thoughtful. But, then I picked it up. It was empty! She got me… hook, line and sinker.

 

On the Sunday before Passover, Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as king. Shortly after arriving, he violently drove the merchants out of the temple. Following these events, the religious leaders confronted him.

 

^23b “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”   NIV

 

Responding to their attack, Jesus framed his counter-question so that no matter how they answered, they would look bad. In doing this, Jesus provided himself with the perfect opportunity for a teachable moment… a parable.

 

Like an expert fisherman, he cast his line out by setting the story. It was about a father who told his two sons to go work in his vineyard. The first son said no, but then thought better of it and went to work. The second son said yes, but then decided to ignore his father, and disobeyed him.

 

Asking a simple question, Jesus hooked the fish.

 

³¹ “Which of the two obeyed his father?”
They replied, “The first.”
Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.  NLT

 

How do you and I question Jesus’ authority in our life? Do we say yes, but then just go do whatever we want? Does our pride get in the way of humility and obedience? Does our desire for control help us to justify and rationalize sinful behavior? Is there an area of our life that we haven’t given over to Jesus’ authority?

 

Hook, line and sinker… can you feel the hook?

 

***

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

Mark 4:23 NLT

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

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