The Parable of the Vineyard Workers teaches an amazing truth about God’s generosity and grace and the shocking entitlement of the human heart. It also shows us that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to those who would enter it, including those who may be in their last moments of life.
The vineyard’s landowner has been hiring people all day to work in his fields. Some started early in the morning, while others arrived closer to quitting time. Amazingly, the landowner paid all of them a full day’s wage. This did not sit well with those who had worked all day. They assumed they would receive more than those who worked for a shorter time. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ (Matthew 20:11–12, NLT) Those complaining forgot how grateful they were to be hired at the beginning of the day!
Notice the answer of the vineyard owner. But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ (Matthew 20:13–15, ESV)
Are we not thankful that God’s kingdom functions based on His grace and generosity, not equality? Those who came early to the kingdom should rejoice that they had much time with the Lord of the vineyard. Those who came late should rejoice that they have not been refused. We all should rejoice; truth be told, none of us was worthy, yet we have all partaken of His generosity and grace!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 20-21.