Not How We Begin, But How We End

In the gospel of Matthew (21:28-32), Jesus tells a parable about two sons. The father asks the first son to come to the vineyard to work. The son answers straightforward, “No, Sir. I’m not going to do it.” But later the son changes his mind and goes to work.

The father approaches the second son and says, “I need you to go to the vineyard and work.” This son answers, “You got it, Dad. I’ll be there!” But in the end, he doesn’t go.

Jesus asks the chief priests and the elders, Which of these two did the will of his father?

The answer of course is obvious, and the religious authorities answer correctly, the first son. But then, in this deft zen-like move, Jesus quickly turns this around, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

Tax collectors and prostitutes – two of the most despised groups in that day – going into the kingdom of God ahead of the pastors and elders…

Jesus goes on to explain: For John (the Baptist) came to you in the way of righteousness, showing you a better way of life and you did not believe him… ” But these people who’s lives were in shambles, believed… turned back to God… and followed….

Apparently, it’s not how you begin, but how you end that counts.

I recently heard a part of TED talk that Billy Graham gave many years ago. He was speaking to a room full of people from many different faiths and even some atheists. He spoke about questions he had received from university students in countries all over the world, and he related that one student asked him, “Rev. Graham, what has been your biggest surprise in life?” He answered, “My biggest surprise in life is its brevity.”

It is true that when we are young we seem invincible. It feels as though life will continue indefinitely. But as we mature and age, we quickly realize how fleeting it is. The Psalmist reminds us that our days are like a breath (Psalm 39 and 144).

When we remember that we are here for only a short time, it raises both the questions of eternity and of what we are leaving behind. Have we made contributions toward making this world a better place? Will the people around us know our love for them? Have we accepted God’s grace and love for us? And is that making a difference in how we live?

Let us pray: Loving God, in the time we’ve been given here on earth, help us to love more fiercely, to give more generously, and to open our hearts more widely, to build bridges and spread hope. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.