February 20, 2025
Hired Help - Part 4
Matthew 20:11-14
02/20/2025
11 And on receiving [the denarius] they grumbled at
the master of the house,
12 saying, ``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.''
13 But he replied to one of them, ``Friend, I am
doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for
a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give
to this last worker as I give to you.'' (ESV)
The workday is over. The master of the house instructed his
steward to pay those who were laboring in the vineyard. To the
ones who worked an hour, the steward gave a full day's pay. To
the ones who worked from dawn, the steward gave a full day's pay.
And on receiving [the denarius] they grumbled at the
master of the house, saying, ``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.''
But he replied to one of them, ``Friend, I am doing you
no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to
this last worker as I give to you.''
Even in the vineyard, the Church, there are people who take
their eyes off of the Master to compare themselves with others.
``Why is he getting better treatment?'' We become jealous. ``I
do more than he does.'' We become proud.
God the Father sent His Son into the world to redeem each
sinner as an individual. You and I are different, having been
called to different vocations, having been called into God's
vineyard at different times. You and I are treated as
individuals by God, not as another face in the crowd. The Father
loved you enough to send His Son to redeem you from sin and
death.
As we look at the Father, as we look at Jesus Christ, we see
God's love in action. That you received the same gift of grace
that I received reflects on God's mercy, not our twisted sense of
right and wrong.
May our Lord grant us faith to accept with thanksgiving and
praise the gift of life given to us for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.