The Parable of Workers in the Vineyard

Last Sunday we did the rare move of canceling church because of a Winter Weather Warning.  The safety of our congregation is very important to us, so the leadership of the church agreed it was the wise thing to do. Nevertheless, I really missed seeing you! Christiane and I had already worked on the sermon, and I was excited to deliver it to you.  So, we are calling this “Words from the Rector” today: ‘the missed sermon edition’. We pray God may speak to you in a special way through this slightly modified sermon message.

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Matthew 20:1-16 – The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Jesus tells us this parable to reveal our heart and explain the true economy of the Kingdom of God. After laying out the story of workers serving various times for the same amount of money, he gets to the punchline in verse 9:

And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 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.

I used to read this passage, and a part of me could relate to the complaining workers. Maybe, deep down, I was also thinking the whole system was a bit unjust. After all, they did work longer than those who came later in the day.  Today, I’m very thankful that I don’t read it like that anymore. So, I want to tell you why I’ve changed, and no longer question God’s goodness nor his justice in this parable.

I almost made the title of this sermon, “Stop whining and start living”.  It would be justified because those first workers do come across as pretty whiny, right?!  The problem is that their attitude hits close to home.  Haven’t we all faced the ugliness of our own jealousy and/or feelings of entitlement at some point or another, when life didn’t turn out fair by our standards?

The crucial word here is: “our standards”. We are so trained to think according to this world that we actually see their complaint as legitimate. Our sense of justice implies that no one would fault us for going in and talking to the boss about a raise, or perhaps fairness in wages, if any of us were in a similar 9-5 job situation today.

That is why is so important for us to drop our earthly understanding of things, and approach the kingdom of God with nothing but humility. There is a reason Jesus chose to use these stories, conveying a message that shows us very clearly how different the economy of Heaven is in comparison to our earthly expectations. Our earthly view of work makes us feel like it’s solely about our efforts.

Does this remind you of another parable Jesus taught?

Luke 15:28-32 – The Prodigal Son

“But he [The Elder Brother] was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'””

The Elder Brother and the Early Workers both have a similar attitude based on their work. Even though the parable of the workers in the vineyard can sound like God is passing judgment at the end, in reality both of these parables teach us much about God’s Grace. The ‘last-hour’ workers, just like the prodigal son didn’t deserve what they got based on our standards. Some of us, like the elder brother or the first workers, may think that our piety, good behavior, and efforts to follow Christ should get us a special place or prize.

A different perspective comes when you LOVE the ‘Father/Master of the House’ and want to be with him longer. Jesus flips these stories on their heads to show us that we all receive his grace. Those who have already received Him and are able to enjoy his fellowship, purpose, relationship, and presence longer should really be able to rejoice with Him when others get to join in.  In Matt. 20 the Master of the House says to the laborers in the vineyard:

‘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?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

The reason the “last is first” doesn’t have anything to do with getting away with working less and getting more money. It actually a reflection of your heart. How do you perceive God’s generosity? Does his love fill you to point of extending to others?

Does the grace to follow God feel like a job that you started early and don’t get paid very well?  Then you may be last.  Does your relationship with God feel like such a beautiful, ever-giving-life type of gift to you?  Then, you might feel like the ones in whom Joy can’t be contained. The ones who know they got invited to participate with, and enjoy God forever.

May God give us the perspective of the joy, peace, rest, and unconditional Love we all can receive in Him.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd and Dr. Christiane