Pew bulletin
Fr Vijay’s sermon
Matthew 21:23-32
A young man applied for a job at a large company. During the interview, he confidently promised, “I am dependable. I will arrive on time and do whatever is needed.” The manager smiled. “Great. Can you start tomorrow?” “Absolutely!” he replied. But the next morning, he did not show up. A week later, another applicant arrived. Quiet and a little rough around the edges, he admitted, “Honestly, I am not sure I am ready. I have made mistakes, but if you give me a chance, I will try.” He came the next day and every day after. Which man truly kept his word?
Jesus tells a similar story in Matthew 21:23-32. Religious leaders question His authority. In response, He shares a short parable about tow sons and a vineyard. One says “no” but later goes. The other says “yes” but never moves. Then Jesus delivers a startling line: “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (v.31). why? Because they believed, repented, and acted.
This passage is not meant to shame us. It is meant to wake us up. God is not looking for perfect words, he is looking for willing hearts that turn, trust, and move,
1. God honors honest repentance more than perfect promises.
The first son says, “I will not,” but later he changes his mind and goes (v.29). the Greek word behind “changed his mind” is the same root as “repent.” It means a turn inside and out.
Maybe you have said “no” to God before. You walked from church, ignored conviction, or chose your won way. Hear this: your past “no” does not disqualify your present “yes.” God specializes in second starts. The tax collectors and prostitutes, the people everyone wrote off, were moving ahead of the religious insiders because they believed John’s message and acted.
If you have wondered, you are too far, if you have wasted time, you have not wasted your future. The Father is still calling: “son, daughter, go work in the vineyard today.” Your “later” can become “now.”
2. Real obedience is shown in action, not just words.
The second son says, “I go, sir, but he does not go (v.30). It sounds respectful. It feels spiritual. But it ends in emptiness. Jesus exposes a hard truth: lip service does not open the kingdom; lived faith does. We can say all the right things in prayer, sing all the right songs, and quote all the right verses and still not do the next right thing. Obedience is not a slogan; it is a step. It is showing up. It is forgiving when you would rather hold a grudge. It is serving when you would rather be served. It is telling the truth when a lie would be Easier.
You do not need a grand gesture. You need one faithful step. Today, ask: what is one thing God is asking me to do?” then do it. Small obedience, repeated, becomes a life that honors the father.
3. It is never too late to enter the vineyard and begin again.
Jesus’ point is not to rank people but to reveal a pathway: belief, repentance, action. The religious leaders had every advantage, knowledge, tradition, position, yet they resisted. The outcasts had every disadvantage shame, failure, stigma, yet they responded. And so, they entered.
This is hope for anyone who feels behind. Maybe you think, “others are so far ahead spiritually.” Maybe you compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter twenty, but the kingdom is not a race of perfection; it is a response of trust. The question is not, “how good have I been?” the question is, “will I believe and go?”
If you have delayed, delay no longer. If you have doubted, bring your doubt to God and take one step anyway. The vineyard is open. The Father is waiting. And in Christ, your “today” can be the day everything changes.
Three points to take home.
God honors honest repentance more than perfect promises. Your past “no” does not cancel your present “yes.”
Real obedience is shown in action, not just words. One faithful step today matters more than many spiritual speeches.
It is never too late to enter the vineyard and begin again. Belief, repentance, and action open the way forward.
May God bless us all. Amen.