A most important parable for children

Children who grow up in the Church are often familiar with dramatic events of Scripture: the parting of the Red Sea, Jonah and the whale, the feeding of the five thousand, and the healing of the paralytic who came through the roof. In addition to these important events featured in most children's Bibles, I strongly believe that parables play an important role in instructing young children in the Gospel.

There is one parable that I think ranks at the head of the parables for three reasons:

1. Children can readily relate to the experience of the characters.
2. The parable is relevant to children on a daily basis.
3. It captures the essence of authenticity and repentance.

It is the parable of the two sons:

“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?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him. (Matthew 21:28-32)

Every day I have conversations with Elisabeth about obedience and repentance. For that reason, I believe it is critical for her to understand that it is not mere words that I desire, but obedience. I want her to know that repentance is far better than hypocrisy. Furthermore, I want her to see that it is not just because that's what I prefer, but because it the way of righteousness that Jesus has laid before us. More than that, it is good news for people like us, who sin on a daily basis, whose only hope is God-enabled repentance.

It is not enough to tell my daughter that this is the way; I must demonstrate repentance rather than hypocrisy. Then, by grace, she may see the way into the Kingdom of God.