February 17, 2025
Hired Help - Part 1
Matthew 20:1-5
02/17/2025
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a
house who went out early in the morning to hire
laborers for his vineyard.
2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a
day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And going out about the third hour he saw others
standing idle in the marketplace,
4 and to them he said, ``You go into the vineyard
too, and whatever is right I will give you.''
5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour
and the ninth hour, he did the same. (ESV)
We believe, teach, and confess that our salvation from sin,
eternal death, and the power of the devil is a gift from God.
Because everyone is born in sin, because everyone desires to
place things as a higher priority than God, because we daily act
in selfish ways which harm our neighbor, our good works cannot
earn us heaven. Indeed, because we are by nature sinful, we
cannot even begin to look for God, much less do enough to earn
eternal life.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house
who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for
his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a
denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And
going out about the third hour he saw others standing
idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ``You go
into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will
give you.'' So they went. Going out again about the
sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
God continually seeks people to become part of His Church,
to labor in His vineyard, to accept the truth that Jesus lived,
died, and rose again to pay the price of our sin. ``Come, follow
me,'' the Savior said to His disciples. They left fishing boats
and other jobs, friends and family, all the comforts of home to
learn of the kingdom of heaven.
This week we will learn of God's rich love, grace, and mercy
which gives the fullness of heaven to those who believe in Him.
May our Lord grant that we hear His call, that we join with
the faithful who hear His Word. Amen.