Jesus told a pointed story in which a father told two sons to work in his vineyard. From one son, he got a “no” that became yes; from the other, a “yes” that became no. The story challenged all of us, and it showed the difference between Judas and Joseph of Arimathea. Judas followed Jesus for three years, but in the end turned away into the night. Joseph kept hiding his allegiance to Jesus until the cross moved him beyond fear to become an open disciple.

• Scholar William Barclay wrote that this story was “setting before us a picture of two very imperfect sets of people, of whom one set were none the less better than the other. Neither son in the story was the kind of son to bring full joy to his father. Both were unsatisfactory; but the one who in the end obeyed was incalculably better than the other. The ideal son would be the son who accepted the father’s orders with obedience and respect and who unquestioningly and fully carried them out.” How can you keep growingtoward greater authenticity in your spiritual life? In other words, how can you say “yes” toGod, and then live out that commitment every day?

From Grow.Pray.Study (GPS) The Church of the Resurrection--Weekly Guide