What a parable is and lessons from the parable of the two sons
Do you all know what a parable is? If not, perhaps this well-known explanation might help you: A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.
Jesus taught many lessons in parables, so that the people would clearly understand what He was trying to tell them. Here now is on e of those parables that Jesus told when He lived on this earth.
A certain man had two sons, Jesus told the people. One day the man went his older son and said, "Son, go and work in my vineyard today." The boy was disobedient and said, "I will not go." Afterwards he was very sorry that he had answered his father like that and he changed his mind and went and did what his father had asked.
The father also went to the second son and said the same thing: "Son, go and work in my vineyard today." He immediately replied, "I go sir." But this second son did not keep his promise and he did not go and work in his father's vineyard.
"Now," asked Jesus, when He had told that story to the people, "Which of those two sons obeyed his father?" "The first one," said the people. And then Jesus explained the heavenly meaning of that earthly story. "I tell you," He said, "that sinners who are sorry for their sins will enter heaven before those of you who pretend to be righteous."
Now, boys and girls, I wonder what your answer would have been if Jesus had asked you that question? Would it have been the same as the people? I hope so, because it was the right answer. You see, Jesus wants us to understand that God does not want us to promise to obey Him and then, not carry out our promises. We cannot "pretend" with God, the way the second son pretended with his Father, for God knows all that we think and all that we do.
There is a big word used in the Bible for being truly sorry for our sins; it is called "repentance." We must believe with all our heart that we do sin and that we are sinners – that we have done wrong, just like the first son, and then, like him, repent. Be sorry for our sins and ask Christ to be our Savour and forgive us. He will, if we truly mean it.