Prayer
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this simple prayer based on Psalm 36:9.
Lord Jesus, Light of the World
with You is the fountain of life,
and in Your light we see light.
Please shine the Light of Your Word
on my life today. Amen.
Reading
Remember that parables are not allegories where each little detail means something different. A parable is a truth-bearing story, which Jesus told to communicate one central truth about the Kingdom of God. What was that central truth in this parable?
Jesus told this particular parable as part of His response to Peter’s question in Matthew 19. Peter said, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (v.27)
In response Jesus promised, “‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things … everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” (v.28-30).
Peter had an ‘economic mindset’. He hoped that his sacrifice for the Kingdom would be met by a fair reward/compensation. Jesus, however, promises far more than we could ever earn – a hundred times more than would be “fair”. He indicates the extravagant generosity of God! But He also highlights that this generosity is born of God’s grace and mercy, and is not based on merit. God’s Kingdom is not one where reward is commensurate with our effort or sacrifice. God’s Kingdom is one of ridiculous generosity!
That is also the theme of this parable. Its connection to what Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 19 is indicated by the fact that it ends with the same statement, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.“
The parable is told because Jesus wants us to abandon our “economic mindset” when it comes to the Kingdom. The parable’s shock value lies in the way we join the characters in responding to it with outrage. It feels so wrong that the labourers who only worked an hour get the same as the ones who worked all day … but that would only be true if the Kingdom was based on merit. And thankfully it is not. If it was based on merit, none of us would even get through the door.
To believe that I will recieve rewards equal to the effort I put in would be to rob myself not only of the extent of God’s abundant blessings, but it would be to fail to enter the Kingdom in the first place. Gods Kingdom is a matter of grace from beginning to end! And to be angry that others who I think “deserve less than me” get the same, is a self-centred approach, while the Kingdom is a generous, love-centred Kingdom that rejoices when others are blessed!
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will seek to rid myself of an economic mindset,
- I will be grateful for the undeserved goodness of God in my life, and
- I will rejoice at the blessings others receive.
Lord Jesus, purify my heart. Give me a heart that aligns with Your Kingdom of Love, Generosity and Grace. Amen.
Dave's Diary 
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