The religious leaders in the temple questioned Jesus about his authority to do what he had done. Jesus’ reply is to the effect: “I’m glad you brought that up, let’s talk about authority.” He then proceeds to challenge their legitimacy as spiritual leaders. They thought themselves superior to others on the basis of their moral standards but, according to Jesus, this is no indication of spiritual status. Jesus uses the parable of the two sons to illustrate the fact that the godly are not recognised by their convictions and their display of moral fervour. Rather, the godly are recognised by their willingness to change and the momentum of transformation in their lives. The last thing these leaders wanted was change. They were secure in their positions and they didn’t want God disturbing their little controlled world. The reason they reacted so negatively to Jesus was because he was threatening their authority which was simply the expression of their spiritual autonomy. Leo Tolstoy comments on the parable of the tenants (in his book Resurrection): “The workers in the vineyard imagined that the vineyard in which they were sent to work for their master was their own, that everything in it had been put there for their benefit, and that their business was to enjoy life in this vineyard, forget all about the master and kill anyone who reminded them of the master and their duty towards him. Are we not doing the same when we imagine ourselves to be masters of our lives? We were sent here by someone’s will and for some reason.” Let us yield ourselves then to God.
Are you treating your life as your own? Talk to God about this.
Read Matthew 21:23-46
