10/30/22

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 20:1‭-‬16.

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

Jesus uses a story about workers and salaries to explain the difference between the world we know now and the world to come. We are used to a system (when applied fairly) that when one works more or longer, one receives more. That’s not how the kingdom of God works.

Above all, this is a lesson about not comparing ourselves to others. Jesus loves us all equally and has the same “salary” to offer each of us – salvation from sin and death. There is no greater gift possible, no bonus or stock option to be offered on top! Those who confess their sins and accept Jesus as savior can all expect the same eternal reward.

We know that on earth there will always be greater and lesser than ourselves. Our task is to love them all just as Jesus does. He tells us “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (John 14:2), everyone is welcome and everyone is equally blessed.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we don’t love as You have taught us. Help us to see Your image in everyone and welcome them as brothers and sisters. Amen.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *