We're all grapes hanging from the Vine

Matthew 20:1-16

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, 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. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 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? 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?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Reflection

On first impression I think of how thankful I am to be even given a daily wage for my work.

On first impression I associate the landowner with God.

But then...

Perhaps the landowner is not God. Perhaps the landowner is a person that wants to rule over the workers of the day. Perhaps the landowner is just another arrogant person of power and riches that humbles the workers who have spent all day in the vineyard by showing them that they are no more than peasants who can easily be paid just as much as the workers who only worked a short period of time. Perhaps the landowner is showing the peasants that money is no object and the peasant life can easily be paid for by the vast difference in the rich style of the owner verses the poor wages of the needy peasant lifestyle.

That view kind of turns it all around. It brings to light passages of the disciples playing out the status of who will sit on the right and left of the seat of Jesus in the kingdom to come. It brings to light the view of Christians today who lord it over other Christians that only their viewpoint is the correct and godly viewpoint. It brings to light how all of us try to lord our positions and opinions in life over another of God's creation's position and life.

I tend to think now of my status among the peasants and the workers of this world. We all are in need of the salvation that only God can offer. My position if landowner or peasant, first or last to work, doesn't depend on what wages I think I deserve, but depends on what wages Jesus, my Savior has given to me on the cross.

Yes, Jesus took on my sin and the sin of all the world to make all peasants and landowners righteous before the sight of God. We are not made righteous  through our power, prestige, wages, or even being first or last. We are made righteous by the blood, the suffering and the death of Jesus on the cross to take away our sin and free us to live a life of grace with God now and forever. May all people come to live in this harmony and common confession before God in this life we live, here and now. At least... live in the grace of God happy and joyous with our place in God's kingdom.

Prayer

Lord, so many times I take my position and opinion and force it upon another. So often I want that gap over another person that makes me feel that I am more powerful or richer than that sill peasant. Stop me in my tracks to see that all people are created in your glory and that I am here to live the gracious love you have given to free me through Jesus. Forgive me for the times that I separate myself from those you give to me and lord my religion, my opinion or my monetary place over another. Renew me and send me into your world to live in harmony and grace today, tomorrow and forever. --- Amen