“‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then he went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.’” Matthew 21:28-31 NIV
I have often said that ‘It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish’. This can be applied to so many areas of our lives. In hockey, yes I am Canadian, the NHL has 82 regular season games and then the playoffs for those teams who qualify. Qualifying for the playoffs is determined by the number of points each team has accumulated throughout the regular season. There are no points awarded, nor consideration given, for teams that scored the opening goal or who was leading for the majority of the game. It is strictly based on who had more goals when the horn sounded at the end of the game.
But qualifying for the playoffs is not the goal, it’s being crowned as the leagues champions for that year. Sixteen teams will make the playoffs, but only one team can claim the championship. I’m sure the losing team from the final series, though pleased with their effort, will be heavily disappointed in their loss.
It is only the names of the players on the team that wins the Stanley Cup, that have their names engraved on it. It does not include the runner-ups nor the qualifiers – just those that finished well.
The kingdom of Heaven is much like that. At birth, we all become qualifiers to enter the kingdom of God. If we believe in Christ and confess our sins, we could claim that we have ‘made the playoffs’. Then when the horn sounds at the end of our life and we have finished well, we can then celebrate for eternity with our Heavenly Father, as our names will have been engraved in the book of life.
May the celebration and the crown received from our Heavenly Father be the reward that we have our eyes fixed upon, and the celebration that we most anticipate.
Lock Your Wings 
Interesting, that same verse stood out for me: ““Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.”
Matthew 21:31 NLT
It made me think of the banquet table that was used in an illustration at church today. How we were lost, separated, and not included and how Jesus came to find us, bring us to Him, and invite us to be one in His family. I couldn’t help but think of Survivor and when they have a big feast. When you are starving and have not eaten to be invited to the banquet is so much more valuable. I don’t think the same food would be as enjoyable if you were continually satisfied with food. I think that’s what Jesus was trying to say through this message. The ones who are “starving” (the lost, broken, and hurt) will be most satisfied and excited about coming to the banquet table. But those who think they can do it on their own or feel that they are full on their own will not place as much value on attending the banquet.
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