The Parable of the Vineyard Workers
Matthew 20:1-16 NIV
Matthew 20:1
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.”
This is another parable describing the kingdom of heaven. The landowner represents God. The laborers represent the believers. A denarius was a normal daily wage for laborers back then. The parable shows the landowner’s generosity in that he paid each group of laborers he hired during the course of the day the same wage. This shows us that redemption is available to anyone at any time prior to the final trumpet being sounded.
The laborers who were hired first had a gripe with the landowner. It bothered them that they worked all day in the heat only to earn the same amount as those who were hired towards the end of the day. The landowner took issue with their complaint and stated that they agreed to work for a normal day’s wage, therefore, what business was it of theirs how much he paid anyone else regardless of how long they worked. The fact is it wasn’t any of their business.
We can liken this story to real life situations where someone comes to the saving knowledge of Christ on their death bed after they had been sinners all their lives. Those who were cleansed by Christ’s blood early on in life might take issue with the fact that another lived as they pleased yet was awarded heaven at the last possible moment. This thinking is illogical and flawed. They are displeased for selfish reasons rather than overjoyed that another sinful soul had gotten saved from their sin. What God chooses to do is none of our affair. He does as he so chooses and certainly doesn’t need to consult anyone, least of all his own creation. We must look past ourselves toward the greater good for the kingdom. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: Life Application Study Bible, footnote on p. 2056.
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