Stay in Your Lane

Introduction

Today I’m going to meddle a bit with our Western understanding of Christianity

We American Christians have a propensity to twist and manipulate Scripture to communicate messages the Bible does not.

Americans live in a society of

competition, self-reliance, and empowerment

Americans seem to bask in

self-promotion, egocentric, and stubborn independence

Two accounts. One a parable, the other a historical incident; both with a common denominator

Matthew 20:1–16 NIV84

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

John 21:18–23 NIV84

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

First passage

Workers are hired to work in a field

arrive throughout the day

each is paid an agreed sum

while each was paid what was agreed, day-long workers were upset with hour-long workers

Jesus’ response — “I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work?”

Day-long workers thought they should be paid more

Second passage

Jesus is comforting and encouraging his disciples

He begins restoring a broken Peter

reminding Peter what Jesus is not done with him

informing Peter that more suffering awaits

Peter notices John and asks about him

Jesus’ response — “What is that to you? You must follow me.”

Peter seemed more concerned with “the disciple whom Jesus loved”

Common Denominator

As humans, we often become consumed about what is happening to someone else

we become envious when good comes their way

we secretly get happy when they face adversity

we find ourselves cheering for our own success while hoping for the failure of others

Paul tells us that as Christians we should rejoice and mourn when our brothers do.

Romans 12:15 NASB 95

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

1 Corinthians 12:25–26 NASB 95

so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

We have difficulty tending to our own journey with God.

WE HAVE TROUBLE STAYING IN OUR OWN LANE

Life is not fair, but God is just

At times it will seem like you are receiving unfair due from God, that others are flourishing while you suffer

Keep your eyes straight ahead

on the task ahead

on your LORD