MATTHEW 20:1-16 - AS IF IT HAPPENED TODAY!
For the kingdom of heaven is like this: a landowner, wanting to hire laborers to work in his vineyard, arose early, and went into town to find unemployed people to work for him. And when he had found a few, he asked how much they wanted to work for him all day. He agreed to their demand of ten dollars an hour, and so he hired them, and put them to work in his vineyard.
Again, at about 9 a.m., he returned to town and found a few more who were looking for work. He told them to go work in his vineyard, and that he would pay them a fair wage. They, trusting him to be fair, did as he asked.
And again he went to town at noon and later at 3 p.m., and hired a few laborers each time, promising to pay them a fair wage. They, too, trusted him and went to work.
Finally, at around 5 p.m., he found others standing idle, and he asked them, Why do you stand here idle all day when you know landowners are hiring laborers? They answered and said to him, Because no one has offered us a job. He said to them, Go work in my vineyard; and whatsoever is fair, that you shall receive.
So when the work day ended, the owner of the vineyard said unto his accountant, Call the laborers, and give them their wages, beginning from the last unto the first. And when those who were hired last came, they received every man a full days pay at the rate of ten dollars an hour. But when those who were hired first came, they, seeing how much those who worked the least amount of hours made, were filled with joy because they assumed the landowner would pay them accordingly. But the accountant paid them ten dollars an hour for their work, just as they had insisted when they were hired. And when they saw that they only received what they had insisted upon, they were very angry, complaining that those who were paid first made the same amount as they did for working all day! But the accountant answered them, and said, Friends, there is nothing wrong with what I have done. Didn't you insist that you be paid ten dollars and hour? Take what you insisted upon and go away! The landowner has chosen to pay those who were hired last, the same as he paid you. Is it not lawful for him to do what he wants with his money? Are you angry because he has blessed them? You insisted on a set wage and you have received it; they trusted him to be fair, and for that, he has chosen to do this.
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few are chosen.
SOME THOUGHTS ON THESE VERSES:
This parable describing the kingdom of heaven, has a few important things for us to remember:
1) The landowner represents God.
2) The accountant represents Jesus.
3) The laborers first hired, represent Israel. They have a covenant/contract with God.
4) The laborers hired afterward, represent those who trust in God during the Church Age. Our faith in Him is rewarded by His Grace, His forgiveness, and our adoption!
5) God does not wish any perish but all to come to faith in His Son! Jesus died for all, and His invitation to heaven is available to all who trust Him. Some have even been chosen in spite of their unworthiness (Abraham, Moses, David, Mary, the Apostles, and especially me, an alcoholic atheist when He saved me)!
God's rewards are based upon His love for us and not our works for Him. Salvation is not earned by works, but is a free gift to those who trust in God's Only Begotten Son Who paid for our sins by giving His life for us. Though buried for three days, His Father raised Him from the dead, and has declared Him to be King of kings, and Lord of lords!
JESUS IS COMING FOR HIS BELIEVERS VERY SOON!
THE CHURCH AGE WILL END AND THE TRIBULATION WILL BEGIN!
NOW IS THE TIME TO TRUST IN HIM; LET JESUS BE YOUR LORD TODAY!
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