The parables of Two Builders and the Two Sons bring us to the third theme of the parables, namely obedience.

Two Builders, Two Sons

We have seen how a number of parables show the kindness, mercy, goodness, and grace of God (Theme 1). We have also seen that some of those parables also show the severity and wrath of God (Theme 2). Now we start looking at parables that show how God requires obedience, fruitfulness, and stewardship in his kingdom (Theme 3).

The parables of the two builders and the two sons illustrate that God requires people to give heed to his word and to obey it (Mtt 7:21-27).

These parables highlight two aspects of that obedience:

• You can do nothing wiser than to obey the Lord.
• Lipservice is no substitute.

1 Two Builders

Mtt 7:21-27 cf Lke 6:46-49

Matthew 7:21,23 are the preface to the parable. On another occasion when Jesus told this parable, he boiled the preface down to this one rhetorical question, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" (Lke 6:46). It is very foolish to pay lipservice to Jesus,to call him, "Lord, Lord," yet follow our own teachings, not his, and do what we like, not what he says. Jesus says there are "many" who are like that. To help us realise these things, Jesus now tells the parable of the two builders, one wise and one foolish.

Matthew 7:24,26 describe the work of these two builders. Notice that both men in the parable were builders; both were workers. The parable is not about one man who diligently built a house and another man who slept all day and built nothing, so that when the storm came the last man had no house in which to take shelter. No, he had also built a house, and no doubt he took it for granted that his house would withstand the storm. Those who pay lipservice to Jesus and call him "Lord, Lord," no doubt believe that their house will stand when the day of judgment comes and each person's work is tested. But their work will be destroyed and their foolishness will become evident, for they neglected to dig down to the rock of Christ's word and build upon that. They called him their Lord, but they did not listen to his word and act upon it.

Matthew 7:25,27 describe the testing of the two houses. The test was extremely severe. There was a deluge, a raging flood, a hurricane. This represents the wrath of God on judgment day, although of course it can also represent the "storms of life" —any severe test of our faith that may confront us. The faith, work, and religion of the wise builder will weather the storm. The foolish builder, who has built upon nothing but the sand of lipservice, and whose faith, work, and religion has no real foundation, will be ruined by the storm.

2 Two Sons

Mtt 21:28-29

Matthew 21:28-29 describe a simple interaction between a man and one of his two sons. He told the lad, "I want you to go and work in the vineyard today." The son said, "I will," but he didn't go.

The first son in the parable of the two sons, is like the foolish man in the parable of the two builders. These men represent those who say, "Yes Lord" but do not obey..

Matthew 21:30 describes the man’s interaction with his second son on the same terms, "I want you to go and work in the vineyard today." This son's response is the opposite of the other son's. This second son defies his father, and says, "I will not". But then he thinks better of it, and repents, and obeys his father after all.

The second son in the parable of the two sons, is like the wise builder in the parable of the two builders. These men represent those who hear and obey the word of the Lord, even though at first they may have defied him.

Matthew 21:31 makes the application of the parable. The kingdom of God does not consist of people who pay lipservice to God and then disobey him. Rather it consists of people who may have defied and disobeyed him, but who then have genuinely repented and truly obeyed. These, and these alone, will be saved from the wrath of God and belong to the kingdom of God.