The Parable Of The Two Sons

The Parable Of The Two Sons Introduction

Listen closely, little ones. My name is Matthew, a disciple of Jesus. Let me tell you a story that our Lord Jesus, once shared with us. In the time in which Jesus was in the earth, families worked the land, and fathers loved their children very much.

There was a man who had two sons. He owned a beautiful vineyard, filled with rows and rows of grapevines. The grapes were plump and sweet, ready to be made into juice and wine. This man had two sons.

The father asked his two sons to help in the vineyard

One sunny morning, the father went to his older son. Maybe that boy was playing a game with his friends. "My son," the father said, his voice kind but firm, "the vineyard needs tending today. Will you go and work there?"

The older son, caught up in his own fun, frowned a little. "No, Father," he replied, "I don't want to go. I'm busy."

The father, though a bit disappointed, didn't argue. He simply turned and walked to his younger son, who was sitting nearby, perhaps helping his mother with a chore.

"My dear son," the father said, his voice full of love, "the vineyard needs your help today. Would you be willing to go?"

The younger son looked up at his father with a smile. "Yes, Father!" he exclaimed. "I'll go right away!" He might have even jumped up and started running towards the vineyard, eager to please.

The older son went although he had initially refused to obey

But as the day went on, something strange happened. The older son, after a while, began to think about his father's words. He realized that his father needed him, and that it was important to help. So, even though he had said no at first, he put aside his games and went to the vineyard. He worked hard, pruning the vines and carrying water. His hands became a little dirty, but his heart felt good.

The younger son did not go although he had initially promised to do so

And what about the younger son, who had promised so readily to go to work? Well, the day grew long, and the sun climbed higher in the sky. Perhaps he found other things to do. Maybe he stopped to talk with friends, or maybe he found a shady spot to rest. The hours passed, and he never actually made it to the vineyard to help his father.

When the father returned at the end of the day, he looked to see what his sons had done. He saw one son working diligently among the vines, his face a little sweaty but his eyes shining with effort. It was the son who had first said no. The other son was nowhere to be seen in the vineyard.

Which of these two sons did what their father requested?

Now, Jesus, our Lord, looked at the people gathered around Him, and He asked a simple question: "Which of these two sons did what their father truly wanted?"

You know the answer, don't you, my little ones? It wasn't just about the words they said, but about what they did. The first son, even though he said no at first, changed his heart and obeyed his father. The second son said all the right things, but his actions showed that his heart was not truly in his words.

Parable of the two sons explained

Which of the two sons really made the father happy? The second son of course! Jesus wants us to know that it is not enough to just say we will obey God's Word, or that we will follow God. We must also obey the Word of God. We must follow God with our actions. 

Even if we make mistakes or say the wrong thing at first, we can always change our hearts and choose to do what is right. God sees our hearts, and He loves us when we try, even when it's hard. The MOST important thing in the world is to obey God.

Parable of the two sons in real life

So, when your mother asks you to help with a chore, or when your teacher asks you to be kind to a classmate, remember the two sons. Let your "yes" mean yes, and let your actions show the love in your heart. For that is what truly pleases our Father in Heaven.

The Parable of the Two Sons Bible Verses - Matthew 21: 28-32. 

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’

29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 

30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.