20 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
This parable also speaks about God's unmerited favor and mercy. In the parable there were many labors called during the daytime to work in the vineyard, but when the wages were distributed, all were distributed equally. This created a confusion between the owner and the workers who started their work early in the morning.
This parable has some very valuable lessons:
1. God's Unmerited favor and mercy
2. God's view
3. God's Grace
1. God's Unmerited favor and mercy - It is said by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
The First workers who came to the vineyard should have had the attitude of that of Paul, to say that we worked harder then the rest, but still they are also eligible to get paid for whatever the owner chooses. We are happy with what we got, as we got as per the agreement.
2. God's view - The owner of the vineyard agreed with the labourers for a penny a day. Saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
First labourers were agreed for a penny a day, the rest of the labourers were also agreed for a pay that which the owner chooses - i.e. as the owner said "whatsoever is right I will give you".
In Matthew 9:37 NIV when Jesus spoke to his disciples about the kingdom of God.
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
3. God's Grace - The parable also suggests us as to what the attitude of the first workers was - with the owner and the fellow workers who came for the work at the later time. As they compared themselves with the other workers the problem of wage came into existence. They should have concentrated on their job. As the owner agreed to pay them a penny, and when they received their wage they should have been happy, but rather they compared themselves with others, may be they would have thought - they should also should have come at the later time in the day. But God has a different view - That's why he says - Matthew 20:16 NIV
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Jesus, The Cross, A Thief, and Forgiveness
There were two thieves with Jesus who were to be executed. One says “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
It did not take a long sermon to teach the other unbelieving thief - He just said “Don’t you fear God,” and “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” nor did he prayed a long prayer, but just asked Jesus to remember him in paradise - Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus did not rebuke them saying you are a thief nor did he say you deserve this punishment but not I. He said first “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” and then when this criminal asks to remember him in kingdom, Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This account is found in the Luke 23:32-43
Luke 23:32-43
New International Version (NIV)
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said,“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Have A Blessed Day Ahead
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