"Laborers in the Vineyard"
Have you ever felt unappreciated for your work? Perhaps you put all your hard work and energy to finish a project at work or went the extra mile to help someone special, only to go unnoticed.
We want to be recognized and we want to be compensated for the work that we do. It's a matter of justice, right? But the passage that we'll look at this week challenges our notion of what's fair. It's a parable that doesn't seem to make sense.
It's the parable of the workers called to work in the vineyard at various times of the day, yet they end up getting paid the same. Jesus tells this story which not only makes the listeners of that time uncomfortable but also people today.
Read Matthew 20:1-16
Text to read: Matthew 20: The Laborers in the Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out
early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with
the laborers for the usual daily wage,[a] he sent them into his vineyard. 3
When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the
marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will
pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon
and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out
and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing
here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said
to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the
vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about
five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.[b] 10 Now when
the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also
received the usual daily wage.[c] 11 And when they received it, they grumbled
against the landowner, 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 the usual daily wage?[d] 14 Take what
belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.
15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you
envious because I am generous?’[e] 16 So the last will be first, and the first
will be last.”[f]
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 20:2 Gk a denarius
b. Matthew 20:9 Gk a denarius
c. Matthew 20:10 Gk a denarius
d. Matthew 20:13 Gk a denarius
e. Matthew 20:15 Gk is your eye evil because I am good?
f. Matthew 20:16 Other ancient authorities add for many are
called but few are chosen
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John Wesley’s Notes/Commentary for Matthew 20:1-16
Verse 1. That some of those who were first called may yet be
last, our Lord confirms by the following parable: of which the primary scope
is, to show, That many of the Jews would be rejected, and many of the Gentiles
accepted; the secondary, That of the Gentiles, many who were first converted
would be last and lowest in the kingdom of glory; and many of those who were
last converted would be first, and highest therein. The kingdom of heaven is
like - That is, the manner of God's proceeding in his kingdom resembles that of
a householder. In the morning - At six, called by the Roman and Jews, the first
hour. From thence reckoning on to the evening, they called nine, the third
hour; twelve, the sixth; three in the afternoon, the ninth; and five, the
eleventh. To hire labourers into his vineyard - All who profess to be
Christians are in this sense labourers, and are supposed during their life to
be working in God's vineyard.
Verse 2. The Roman penny was about seven pence halfpenny. [About
thirteen and three quarter cents, American.] This was then the usual price of a
day's labour.
Verse 6. About the eleventh hour - That is, very late; long
after the rest were called.
Verse 8. In the evening - Of life; or of the world.
Verse 9. Who were hired about the eleventh hour - Either the
Gentiles, who were called long after the Jews into the vineyard of the Church
of Christ; or those in every age who did not hear, or at least understand the
Gospel call, till their day of life was drawing to a period. Some circumstances
of the parable seem best to suit the former, some the latter of these senses.
Verse 10. The first supposed they should have received more -
Probably the first here may mean the Jews, who supposed they should always be
preferred before the Gentiles.
Verse 12. Thou hast made them equal to us - So St. Peter
expressly, Acts xv, 9. God-hath put no difference between us (Jews) and them,
(Gentiles, ) purifying their hearts by faith. And those who were equally holy
here, whenever they were called, will be equally happy hereafter.
Verse 14. It is my will to give to this last called among the
heathens even as to the first called among the Jews: yea, and to the late
converted publicans and sinners, even as to those who, were called long before.
Verse 15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?
- Yea, doubtless, to give either to Jew or Gentile a reward infinitely greater
than he deserves. But can it be inferred from hence, that it is lawful, or
possible, for the merciful Father of spirits to "Consign an unborn soul to
hell? Or damn him from his mother's womb?" Is thine eye evil because I am
good - Art thou envious, because I am gracious? Here is an evident reference to
that malignant aspect, which is generally the attendant of a selfish and
envious temper.
Verse 16. So the last shall be first, and the first last - Not
only with regard to the Jews and Gentiles, but in a thousand other instances.
For many are called - All who hear the Gospel; but few chosen - Only those who
obey it. Matt. xix, 30; xxii, 14.
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So what is he really saying? Come and join me this Sunday as we unpack this challenging parable and gain a new understanding of what's fair and just.Blessings,
Pastor Elbert
Rachel's House Sandwich Ministry this Sunday
Water's Edge community continues to support the Rachels' House, a shelter for battered women and children. This Sunday we'll be making 100 sandwiches during our worship. If you signed up to bring food, we ask that you arrive by 9:15, so we can set the tables before our worship starts.
Sandwich-making for Rachel's House is an ongoing activity at Water's Edge, the first Sunday of every other month.
WE rocked last Sunday!
If you were here, I think you agree. The message by Elbert, the WE Band, the
fantastic food and all you people!
Here are some fun photo memories taken by Fred Peter, from last Sunday's potluck/birthday and send-off party for the O'Neals. Click here...
Pastors Elbert and Craig finally had to desert their greeting area at the door because no one was leaving!
W.E. Can
Collecting soup cans for SOUPer Bowl Sunday!
W.E. CAN
This week we'll be collecting donations of canned soup, packaged soup, boxed soup mixes and crackers. The soup will be given out on "SOUPer" Bowl Sunday, February 2, during our weekly distribution.
One of the goals for the Water's Edge congregation this year is to support our First Church Food Ministry: Loaves and Fishes. Besides canned food items, milk, eggs, and bread are always welcome. You may leave your donations in The Cove, or in Linder Hall.
Save these dates...
Practicum Classes Continue
THE PRACTICE OF PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY
Sundays, February 2, 9, 16 | 11:15 AM - 12 PM | The Cove
A class that includes instruction time, spiritual practice, and discussion.
Led by Rev. Greg LaDue.
RSVP...
THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
Wednesdays, February 5, 12, 19 | 6:45-7:30 PM | Linder Lounge
A class that includes instruction time, spiritual practice, and discussion.
Led by Rev. Elbert Kim.
RSVP...
Run the Race All-Church Celebration Sunday
Sunday, February 9 | 12:15-1:15 | Linder Hall | Pizza/salad Lunch, $5
You are invited to an all-church Celebration Sunday! There will be food and a good time had by all. We are celebrating many many things as together we Run the Race, including: the launch of full-service Children's Ministry, new vision for the youth and more...
Our service is modern and inter-generational with weekly communion, open to everyone.
The band plays both current and traditional praise music, as well as original Christian music.
www.fumcsd.org/WE
Want to know more? Email Dr. Elbert Kim at ekim@fumcsd.org
First United Methodist Church of San Diego
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
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