Two kinds of “no.” Which do you remember uttering most often?
By Dean Collins
Which is better, a quick no or a long, slow no? With a quick no, at least you’re certain. I guess the context is important, but I’m not entirely sure. A quick no could come because you are able to gather and analyze information faster than someone who is slow and more deliberate. Or it could mean you don’t really want to think about something. If the question involves whether to wear a blue shirt, the speed of my decision probably doesn’t matter. But if the question concerns a decision to buy a new car, an impulse decision may not be the best.
Two sons, two questions
Jesus told a parable that involved a quick no. A man had two sons. The father went to the first one and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” And the son gave a quick and clear answer: “I will not.” I don’t know about you, but I’ll admit I have been that guy. I’m not always eager when told to go do something, especially when I already knew I didn’t really want to do it. If you ask me instead of telling me, there is a greater chance of me doing it. Like most of us, I tend to like options. Being asked feels different than being told.
While one son pushed back on his father’s order, the other said, “Sure Dad, I’ll go.” As Jesus tells the story, we learn the first son said no but then changed his mind and went. The second son said I’ll go but then never did.
Jesus asked two questions, one before and the second after the parable. He was testing the hearts and minds of the chief priests and elders. Before he told his parable, Jesus asked his first question, “What do you think?” At the end he asked a second question, “Which son did the will of the father?“
Jesus knew before he told his story that his listeners 1) didn’t accept his authority and 2) didn’t have the courage to answer any questions about authority. The chief priests and elders, like the scribes and Pharisees, were done with Jesus rocking their boat. Every day it seemed that Jesus was gaining followers and they were losing control.
In the passage right before this parable, the religious leaders questioned Jesus about the source of his authority. Their question suggests that he had authority. He was doing things. All through his ministry, he did things that those with religious or temple authority didn’t like. They criticized him when he healed on the Sabbath, but honestly, I’m not sure they appreciated his miracles on any day of the week. But the recent action they were upset about was his overturning of the tables and his comments about the temple and the den of robbers.
One authority
Those listening to this parable—then and now—must wrestle not so much with what Jesus did but rather about what we will do with his authority. We must decide whether we will go along with Jesus or actually follow Jesus. The first might be compliance but the second is obedience.
Jesus said follow me.
Jesus said love one another.
Jesus said go and make disciples.
These aren’t what-do-you think moments. They are commands that demand action. A quick no with a repentant heart is better than a yes with no follow-through.
According to Jesus the tax collectors and the prostitutes represent the first son, and the religious leaders who were good at technical compliance but bad at giving up individual authority fell in the second group.
I think we might look and act more like Jesus when walking with tax collectors and prostitutes than when we simply smile at Jesus and do whatever we want to do.
I have always found Jesus smiling and putting his arm around me after I gave the quick no and then realized that knowing Jesus doesn’t really allow me to act so selfishly.
Your time with God’s Word
Matthew 21:23-32, ESV
Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash
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