Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 20:1-16 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 20"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Verse 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Verse 3When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; Verse 4and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. Verse 5When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. Verse 6And 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?' Verse 7They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' Verse 8When 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.' Verse 9When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Verse 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. Verse 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, Verse 12saying, '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.' Verse 13But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Verse 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Verse 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' Verse 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Devotion
Imagine how this description of the kingdom of God scandalized those whose devoutness and piety were unquestionable. They were being challenged by the realization that their ritual practice or lineage did not afford them any special status. Similarly, today we are being challenged by the inclusiveness of God. God is at work in the world calling forth new Christians that don’t look like us, worship like us, or appreciate our traditions. But their status in the kingdom of God is no less than ours.
Prayer
Most gracious and merciful God, may you continue to work according to your will and purpose and not ours. We give you thanks that there is plenty of good room in your kingdom. Amen.