Parable of Jesus on workers (Ch. 20:1-16). Early in the morning a householder went out to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed with them for a denarius a day. At 9:00am, noon, 3:00pm and 5:00pm, he did the same, always agreeing with labourers for the same wages. At the end of the day, at 6:00pm, starting with the workers of the last hour, he paid them one denarius each. The others, who now expected to receive more, were also paid one denarius each. They were displeased and began to murmur (vs. 12): '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.' The householder replied (vs. 13-15): 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?... 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?' Honestly, what would have been your reaction? The story is old: we have a special interpretation of justice and we like to compare ourselves to others. I can hear the workers say, "It's not fair!" Why must your earnings (i.e. your value) depend on someone else’s earnings (value)? Why does it bother you that he who has only worked one hour earns as much as you do?
- It is not your money which is ‘vainly’ spent.
- If you think a denarius is not enough, you should have negotiated your salary differently.
- It's not their fault that they were smarter than you in their negotiations.
Remember the prodigal son and his brother? The latter was furious to see how their father was celebrating the return of his renegade son. Was it his brother’s fault that he did not realise he was free to kill the fatted calf and invite his friends at will? Was their father not allowed to dispose of his wealth and goods as he wished? Likewise, there are people in the church who believe that because they have been Christians for donkey years, the Lord’s blessings must respect the order of arrival. They don’t find it ‘funny’ when newcomers get married, find jobs and have children before them, or when they are entrusted with the leadership positions that they have been coveting for long. Their 'Praise the Lord!' is bittersweet because: 'It's not fair.' Let’s guard and watch over our hearts. Our relationship with God is first of all personal. When Jesus told him how he was going to die, Peter inquired about the fate of another disciple. The LORD replied (Jn 21:22): "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" Let's mind our own business, our mission and our own salvation. We will have ample time in Heaven to discover what has happened to others, provided it still matters...
“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once."” (21:1-3) What assurance! There is an important spiritual key here: the world, the people and the systems will NEVER refuse you the resources that the Lord needs. Whenever it is question of the sovereign interests of the Kingdom, the provision will never lack. If you lack of x, y, z when you need it, ask yourself whether the LORD needs it as well and re-orient your prayer. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions (Ja 4.3).
Next, the Lord triumphally entered into Jerusalem on that ass. If you serve as a vehicle for the Lord, you automatically partake in His glory and exaltation. The donkey on which He rode was the most honoured donkey in the region; but it was also more honoured than all the men and women who had gathered along the roads to magnify the Lord. It was covered with the disciples’ cloaks and walked on the clothes and branches (today it would be the red carpet) which had been spread on the road for by the LORD (21:7-9). Do you want glory? Carry the Lord. Do not take Him where you want, but go where He leads you.
God bless you. We will continue next week; courage: we the end is near 
!
No comments:
Post a Comment