Labourers in the Vineyard (Matt 20 vv 1-16)

Matt 20:1-16

This parable (like them all) draws us in and has us objecting and joining in with the complaints.

We can see the unfairness quite easily.

It is plain that this is unjust.

In anyone’s language this is no way to treat people.

From those who worked all or most of the day – especially at the hottest part of the day – their hopes would have been raised as they stood in line.

Those who had worked barely one hour were handed a full day’s pay.

It followed that the earlier workers would be paid accordingly and receive a fair wage.

Based on what those in the line before them were receiving they would be getting a day’s wage plus bonus (v 10).

So expectation grew.

And their expectations came to nothing except maybe anger (vv 11-12)

Let’s pause here.

This is the moment when our lives and this story intersect powerfully and profoundly.

We can kid ourselves if we like – but I could imagine that most if not all would concede that these workers have a case.

I think in reading this most would instinctively place themselves with the workers who had been there for most of the day.

This is the weight of the parable. The moment that captures us.

Draws what is in our heart to the surface.

It is the moment where we look into the mirror.

And there we see a way of life. In fact, a spirituality even.

One which has us following God in a particular way. A way which can have us becoming angry and grumbling.

It is both subtle and obvious at the same time.

It is a spirituality which is actually poisonous. Yet an all-too common infection.

One which I have been diagnosed with by the Spirit of God in very recent weeks.

One day I was struck by the very powerful thought and notion that my work and service is for Christ.

Not accolades, compliments and applause. This thunderbolt came during a time of a lot of tasks before me and I was congratulating myself on the (in my opinion) quality of my work.

Thank you very much.

And this – not terribly original thought – but timely revelation came that this “poison” was blinding me.

Giving me “fever” if you will.

But with gentle power the Spirit touched my soul and reminded me exactly Who I was doing this for and why.

For Christ.

And actually – the work took on an even greater quality.

And I decreased and He increased.

Until about three days later.

Until I was in the midst of a task for which I had prepared and worked tirelessly for.

And in the moment at the end of the task – I realised that I was not getting the standing ovations I “deserved”!!

That I was with people who had turned up at the 11th hour (literally) and they also received a full day’s pay!!

I was absolutely personifying this parable.

So – maybe the Spirit of God is putting it to us this morning in a different way.

I suspect that I am not alone in this experience of feeling aggrieved because I did not receive my dues.

Apparently.

I think I stand with King David’s brothers who resent the fact that he was anointed King and not them.

Those who were older and more able.

I think because of my poison I stand there with that crowd who shouted “Crucify Him!” because He persistently graced and blessed people who were “less than worthy” and “obvious sinners”.

And He kept challenging the “good and righteous” people.

I think this poison has me hanging on the cross next to Him demanding that He proves Himself and gives me my due and gets me off this cross.

But instead He blesses the other guy on the cross and says “Today you will be with Me in paradise!” A bit late for that I would have thought!

11th Hour stuff.

This poison has us taking on the mantle of the Older Brother from the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Standing there saying that he had carried the burden of the work through the heat of the day and now this latecomer was getting the same reward.

Actually – not strictly true. Getting more!!

So the poison really takes effect.

And the madness and anger increase and the poison flows through our veins and drives us.

Which brings us to the second powerful moment in the parable.

The moment when the Landowner (God) responds.

The first word is very instructive.

“Friend” (v 13).

When Matthew uses “Friend” (Matt 22:12; 26:50) it has a unique use.

It is a word which exposes a person’s shame. Exposes their agenda.

“Friend – do what you came for” (Judas).

The God-figure in this parable talks about His generosity, sovereignty and grace.

But then He poses a question:

“Are you envious because I am generous?”

Or literally – “Is your eye evil because I am good?”

And this is the effect of this poison.

We begin to live life in the light of what I have done and what I deserve in comparison to others.

We will begin comparing and calculating my reward on my effort rather than on God’s grace.

And so we will start to grumble and complain.

When we do that – we lose perspective of God.

We stop seeing God and His goodness and grace.

We forget He is sovereign.

“The church at worship does not first of all celebrate what its people do for God, but celebrates God and what God has done for them”.

This parable is about advancing a crucial reality in life:

The Kingdom of Heaven.

In engaging with this parable, and when the objections begin to arise – it is good to pause and simply remind yourself that this is about the Kingdom.

“But it’s not fair!”

It is about the Kingdom.

“So is the Kingdom about injustice and people being short-changed?!”

No – the Kingdom is about grace and goodness.

“No one gets less than what is promised but many get more than they deserve”.

This is a parable which very naturally and instinctively calls to the surface feelings and attitudes which are at odds with the Kingdom and discipleship in Jesus Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like this…

The focus and the challenge is on the King and how He treats His subjects.

“No one gets less than what is promised but many get more than they deserve”.