U know Jim sometimes we walk along life questioning everything we do!! n may be the other son was just full of just talking and never did any actions, just like in our days so Many relationships n many more thing right Now r just fake n just talk !!!! N if u think about it the bad atitude son responded wrong but deep inside he realize that he need it to do what his dad wanted him to do n did it!!! We some times know what we need to do to make some happier or to make a change in our community, or just break up with something that we r not supposed to do but just like it said there we just talk sometimes n we never se actions..... Just my opinion!!! Thank u for sharing that !!!!

good question i am confused lol @_@

Don't know why I posted this tonight. But I think you got something out of it so I'm glad I did. The words mean much more when they are felt, more than just read: worth reflecting on.

Whenever I come into contact with parables I realize there are layers and layers of meaning and we interpret what we can based on our individual spiritual perspective. Since we live in a world of astonishing illusive distractions the truth seems the hardest thing to dechiper sometimes.

I believe the sons represent the false ego and the true self as one layer. The first son ultimately follows the path of true self and ultimately that is more important than refusing to go. Actions speak louder than words.

The second son follows the path of ego and does not go because he has something better to distract himself with.

If we consider the sons really as two parts of the same the message becomes follow your true self first. The Ultimate message is that we always have a choice.

One could also say the second son is right. Love the paradox. He says what he means and follows thru to his word. He is also true to himself even if it is ego centered. In this view the first son in untrue or unsure of who he is and the second son is sure of who he is and willing to follow his path no matter the consequences.

I think you're right that there are layers. I say this because Jesus basically caught the priests and elders in a verbal trap. They chose the first son and doing so they were forced to look at themselves when Jesus said to them:

"I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God
ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him,
but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

I think this was a shock to the priests and elders who likely thought themselves to be on moral high ground. They must have been taken aback. I imagine it silenced them as they contemplated the message.

I supose there was a reason I was thinking about this. Apply this message to Love...Apply it to friendship.....Apply it to ourselves as sons or daughters....or to our relationship with God (if we have one). It seems there is a message. In our lives we try to be a good friend to others. Some shower us with words and apparant kindness or compliance. Are they our true friends? How about actual kindness and care? When we feel these things in our own lives it seems to me the message of the bible becomes more clear. The message might also be regarded as....Be cautious about judging and be true! But certainly....Actions Speak Louder Than Words. But the original question: Which son did what he father wanted him to do? Only one son could have been said to work the field as he had asked them both to work in the vinyard that day. Only one actually did. So the message might also be....in the end....Did we do what God asked of us? How do we individually measure? Are we following Gods word? Finally this message: Even people who are condemned in life may enter the Kingdom of God. It is never too late to change.

I think we accidentally made a point that there is much to be learned from the bible and much is learned not in just reading but upon reflection and perhaps in practice. To me....all the messages have touched me in a gentle and reflectiv way and have given me a sense of meaning in life where I felt I previously was blind. I would never force my opinion on anyone but I hope others may check out the bible on their own....hope they have an open heart and reflect upon the words. I'm no expert by any means...

I am glad you posted this actually. It got me thinking again. I endeavoured to apply some of the lessons I have learned but I think it all really comes down to this...

Intention and action. Both sons said one thing and did the opposite. Intention and action are not in alignment for either one therefore neither son is being true to who they are. They are both splintered. One let guilt guide his actions and the other used deception.

It is interesting in the context because of the hypocritical nature of self appointed and self aggrandized leaders. Guilt and deception are often used as weapons to maintain control and power.

In order for them to answer the question correctly they would have had to contribute something other than choice of brothers. Either answer would have been unwhole without something from the heart which apparently was lacking.

To thine own self be true. I would have respected the first son had he not gone back on his word. I give him no credit for doing the work because it was only out of guilt and that is not noble. He is just as wrong as the second son. He may be more wrong because had he said yes and followed through with action the second son may never even have been involved.

I have always tried to be true to my word and have often made the mistake of agreeing to do something that I really did not want to do and then do it becauce I believe in keeping my word. It is just another way to consider not being true to one's self. Love can lead us down this path. There is nothing wrong with making sacrifices for Love if it is for the right reasons but it's all about setting limits I guess.

As for what God wants, To thine own self be true but do unto others as you would have others do unto you. I can't see how it must be any more complicated than this. I think that If we could just remember and practice this much on a daily basis we would be on the right path.

I understand your comment about "guilt". I'm a brother and a son. Often this thing described actually happened in my life..literally. I've been asked by my father to chop wood or blow leaves. Sometimes my brothers were no help. For me it didn't come down to guilt...but it came down to "respect" and also knowing that it would not be done otherwise by my brothers...so I'd say "responsibility" too. Had I not done the requested chore I might have later felt "guilty" but for me "guilt" is sort of a false motivator......sort of a negative conditioning.. You're right...Guilt is sometimes used for control but I think that kind of control wears off. See... I never thought this would interest anyone. You proved me wrong about that...but it's interesting to look at from different angles. Oh, I'm a father too... when I ask my son to do something I hope he does it out of "respect" and I think that is the case rather than guilt. Guilt breeds resentment. Fathers are all about "respect" when push comes to shove. I can see you think very deeply about things and that's an admirable trait. I'm a mechanical type, I like to see how things work and see the connections in things. If I can't figure something I find myself looking at it and thinking about it. But I've found that many times the answers eventually fall into place like the DNA molecule or a benzine ring. But my dog is sitting near me and she's so perfect that I see God on every little hair. I know she won't live forever..neither will I. My world felt closed for a while and now it's opening up again. I'm seeing things in a different light. Life isn't any easier but it's better somehow. I think we need to share the things we learn with others to make their journey happier. My dog just snuggled her nose a little deeper in my arm. You have a good day tomorrow!! Keep writing...you have a talent!!

oh i get it one of those deeper thinking questions. Jesus' smart jew side came out hehe and yes i can say that cuz i am jewish :) hehe

I thank you and I agree that things we learn should be shared. I think I am a rare breed in some ways because I also have a side that needs to break things down and see connections in things. This has been something I have learned about myself in the last few years and I also love to look from this different perspective. Life seems a little fuller somehow. I am starting to see connections between the heart and mind in this but almost never makes sense at first. I suppose it is really all about exploring the vast realms in both areas and getting to the bottom of what we believe about ourselves individually and collectively as well as our evolving worldview and our feelings about where we fit into it all.

Your blog caused me to rethink things and try to focus in a practical sense what you had posted. It was a brilliant exersise that I hope we both gained something by participating in. I can only hope that I write well enough that I can contribute to the evoking of feeling and thought in others.

I hope you don't hesitate in future to do the same.