Good evening. As we continue tonight we come to another Parable of Jesus’ that can be found in Matthew chapter 20. In last weeks parable, The Unmerciful Servant, we saw that an unforgiving attitude has no place in the hearts of those who follow Jesus. This week we will look at another attitude that has no place in the hearts of those who make up the Kingdom of Heaven. Before we move on, let’s just begin our time with prayer.
Go ahead and turn with me to Matthew 20:1, and while you are turning there, let me ask you a questions. Who do you believe works harder and longer: mothers of preschoolers, attorneys, door to door salesman, or preachers, and why do you believe that? And don’t be bias.
Well let’s go ahead and take a look at our text for tonight. Here in Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the parable of The Workers In The Vineyard. Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus says, “1”
Now in order to fully understand this parable, we need to take a look at the setting or the background of this story. There had to have been something that prompted Jesus to tell this parable, so what was it. Turn with me back over to Matthew 19 starting with verse 16 and reading through verse 22. Matthew 19:16-22 says, “1”
Here we see that Jesus had a conversation with a Rich Young Ruler. He asked Jesus what he should do to have eternal life. Then Jesus challenged him to give up all that he had, and follow Him. Unable or better put, unwilling to accept the challenge that Jesus put before him, the man went away sorrowful.
Then look what happened. Verses 23-26 Jesus tells His disciples, “1”
Jesus used this opportunity to teach His disciples how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This made the disciples question Jesus as to who could be saved. And Jesus told them that with God all things are possible.
But then in verse 27, Peter asks Jesus a question. Peter says, “See, we have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” In the verses that follow, Jesus assured him that everyone who followed Him would receive more than enough in return. Then Jesus closed His answer with a mysterious warning. Jesus said in verse 30, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Now these are almost the exact words that Jesus uses to end the parable that we just looked at.
Why do you think that is?
As we look at the Parable, let me ask you a few questions before we move on. If you had been one of the first workers hired that day, how would you have felt at the end of the day when the pay was distributed?
In this parable, what is the Kingdom of Heaven compared to and why?
Okay, and finally, do you think that the land owner’s way of paying his workers is unjust, or is he being generous? Why do you feel that way?
Well, as we look at this parable, there are actually 4 different interpretations to this parable, and I would like to take a brief look at each.
First, some people teach that the first workers called represented the Old Testament prophets, and the later workers represented the apostles. However, there is a problem with that idea. If that were the case, I don’t think that Peter’s question in chapter 19 really fits that idea. So what could be another explanation?
Second, other people teach that the earlier laborers are the Jews, and the others laborers are the Gentiles. However, again there is a problem when you look at this explanation. This idea doesn’t fit either, because they probably hadn’t even thought about the Gentiles.
Third, it has also been said that the day in the parable is the entire church age, and the first workers are the early Christians, and the other people called throughout the day represent the people who have followed Christ down through the ages. And the last people hired to work the field are the people who become Christians just before Jesus comes back.
Now to me, this one makes the most sense so far, but there is still a problem with his one, it still doesn’t seem to fit the story right. To me, the parable seems to be a bit more personal. And that leaves us with one other interpretation.
Finally, this parable has also been explained as representing different periods in a person’s life. Some people accept Christ early in their lives, while others do so very late in their life. With these four descriptions, I tend to believe this last one fits the whole story best.
Consider the question by Peter that prompted this parable, and tell me which one seems to make more sense to you and why?
Well, I think that the last interpretation makes the most sense to me because of the fact that we are saved by grace, and not our deeds. In the parable, it didn’t matter how much work the workers did, the owner was gracious and paid everyone what he wanted to. In our lives, we can never do enough good deeds to gain salvation; it is through god’s grace that we are given salvation. This explanation also seems more personal to me as well.
In light of that interpretation, whatever we receive will be more than fair. We have no right to question the generosity of the Lord. God is the owner of His estate, and he can do as He sees fit.
As we begin to brig this all together tonight, What have you found the working conditions to be like in God’s vineyard?
What does this parable say to you about God and His Kingdom?
Okay, how do you feel about new converts to Christ getting the same benefits in the Kingdom as you do, even though you have been a Christian longer?
Knowing that we are all treated the same in the Kingdom, Would you recommend that people wait until they are about to die to accept Christ? I mean that way they don’t have to do as much work or give up as many things, but in the end will still get the same pay off. Obviously we wouldn’t give anyone that advice, but What is wrong with that idea?
Well, as I close this evening, let me bring us to 3 conclusions about this parable. First, when we hear and understand the message of the Gospel, we should respond at once. We should encourage people not to wait until the 11th hour as some of the workers did in the parable. Yeah, if you accept God in the 11th hour, you are okay, but you are not guaranteed that 11th hour to begin with. So when we hear and understand the message, we need to accept it immediately.
Second, as laborers in the vineyard, we should work diligently for whatever time we have left. When you are at work for God, you need to work as hard as you can for the time that you have left. If you do that, you will have a greater impact for Christ on all those that you come in contact with. Even when you are working at you jobs, do as if you where working for the Lord, and it will still have a lasting impact on those around you.
Before I move on, let me ask you a question. Do you ever envy God’s blessings on other?
Why?
Well, third, we should do whatever we can for Christ and His church without the expectations of getting a pay back greater than someone else. You should not expect to have more privileges in the Kingdom of Heaven because you accepted Christ sooner than someone else.
The King is gracious to everyone on an equal basis. Just because you worked longer or harder, or because you gave up more to follow Christ does not mean that you should be rewarded any differently than the King decides to reward you.
Now, before we close tonight, is there anything else that anyone would like to add?
Well, last week’s parable of the Unmerciful Servant taught us that there was no place in the Kingdom of Heaven for an unforgiving spirit. Today’s lesson teaches us that there is also no place in the Kingdom of Heaven for a greedy and envious spirit either. So as we go into the week to come, may you be a good witness to other and may you remove the greed or the envy that you have in your life towards others, and may you be happy that the King we serve is a very gracious King, and He gives to us not what we deserve, but that He gives to us very graciously. Go out and share that with others this week.
Let’s Pray |
