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
Fairness. It seems to be in our DNA. The notion of fairness seeks us out and finds us early in life. Life should be fair, right? You know, an eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth. At some level, we all find this notion of fairness comforting, if for no other reason than the basic self-centeredness (sin) that lurks within us that says, "If I get punished, so should she!" Or, "If his child gets a scholarship, why shouldn't mine?" Self-centeredness does not find room for grace. It does not easily celebrate the good fortunes of others. It works very hard, if at all, in feeling the joy that comes to others who receive something without working for it, paying for it or deserving it like we have. Laborers in the vineyard who all receive the same pay regardless of how long they worked? Outrageous. Stupid. Even dangerous! But Jesus pays no attention to our logic. The Kingdom of Heaven—the reality he prayed would come to earth, as it is in heaven-seeks to live by grace, abundance and the will of the Father. Even if someone gets blessed without our approval.
Prayer
Thank you God, for lifting us up-however we may grumble during the process-to the pointless realities of life in the Kingdom. Thank you for not making the Kingdom of Heaven a system of points, but of grace. May this reality burn deeply into our hearts so that we can find the joy in it. Amen.