Summer Shorts - Message 3 - Laborers in the Vinyard

Laborers in the Vineyard

***Matthew 20:1-16***

English Standard Version Chapter 20

Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Equality

This parable is quite relevant when viewed in light of the current social, political and economic climate. Pay attention to the situation:

English Standard Version Chapter 20

Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

b. Consider the following verses:

English Standard Version Chapter 20

3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8

What does Equality Mean

English Standard Version Chapter 20

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying,

a. The master of the house called for laborers to work the vineyard, and agreed to pay them what was right. Consider the agreement that he made in verse 2.

b. This story isn’t really about picking grapes or olives…it is actually about gathering souls. It is about the wages of faithfulness. It is about the equivalency of the “payment” of heaven to all those who work for the master. And perhaps most significantly it is about the equal blessing of eternity that is offered to those who come to serve God early and those who come to serve God late.

Shared Joy

English Standard Version Chapter 20

13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

a. In spite of our selfish tendencies we serve Gοd, who is makes the same offer to those that come to him first and those that come last. In fact, in this verse we actually see payment made to the last workers first.

b. Perhaps this can be taken as an opportunity for each of us to find joy in the blessing of serving a God that desires for all that will to come to him, and to work for him as gatherers in the vineyard.

c. This parable is often perceived as addressing the conflict and disparity that existed in the early church between those who were Jews and those who were gentiles. And yet, it is equally applicable now. In fact, in this day and age it may be perceived as dealing with older and younger followers of Christ. Or, as a statement about newer and older denominations. Either way, is may be understand as a statement about salvation which is equally offered to each of us and which each of us may choose to receive or deny.

Benediction:

May we celebrate God’s blessing and His active work in those that follow Christ, no matter what their age, or past, or length of salvation…and may we find joy in the fulfillment of God’s promises to us, and His work in and through us!