The only way: say one thing; do the other

One of the intriguing things about Donald Trump is the number of times that he seems to change his mind. He tweets and does the opposite. Very lately he pulls US troops out of Syria immediately. A few days later this is to be done very gradually. Maybe imperceptibly?

Look above therefore to a story Jesus told to the authorities in Jerusalem - religious, legal and political - in the last few days before he was put to death by them. They were challenging his authority face-to-face. What right did he have to teach them, of all people, them the authorities…?

“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.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

 

Can we apply that to Donald Trump? When he says “I will”, will he? Will he actually do what he’s talking about? Or will he, like both sons in Jesus’ story, actually end up doing the opposite? Actually, in passing, isn’t that what happens with election manifestos? And – again – will that happen to what is being said these days about Brexit?

But let’s get back to AD 30. Jesus asked the great and the good that key question, “Which of the two sons did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” 

That was the one who said, ‘I won’t work in your vineyard today’ but afterwards changed his mind and did go. The father asked his sons to work. It wasn’t what they said that counted. It was what they did that mattered. I need to apply that to me as well as to Donald Trump, Brexiters and Remainers.

But Jesus had something more important that economics – and even war - on his mind. Although he was facing death – his own death – within days – he was concerned about those standing there listening to him. He wasn’t concerned about their words. He was concerned about where their deeds were taking them. 

Here’s what he said to them (a tad embellished by me) after the story of the vineyard sons. “What I’m about to tell you is true.” Jesus said to them. “Fifth columnist tax farmers and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you. John the Baptist came to show you the righteous way to live. And you didn’t believe him. But the fifth columnist tax farmers did and the prostitutes did. You watched them change visibly. But, even then, you didn’t change your minds. You didn’t believe him.”

 

All around us it seems that people say one thing and do another. Not only in the US and UK. In Jersey too. Not only in war and economics but in the home as well. 

When John the Baptist came and asked people to change it was those who did change their deeds that Jesus endorsed – not those who talked about it. Will those who don’t do at work and at home what they’ve said and sung in church get away with it? In the end?

Is it the same for me also with regard to the good news of Jesus? Will it only apply to me if I do what Jesus says? What do you think? What do you do?