When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.” vss. 3-4
Matthew 20:1-7
The disciples had made significant sacrifices when they decided to follow Jesus and there came a time when they wondered if their commitment had been worth it. Jesus does his best to assure them that they were on the path of salvation, but then he had added these enigmatic words, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” He followed this up with a mind-blowing parable about the landowner who went looking for workers in his vineyard at different times of the day. Initially it sounds reassuring. Everyone is going to be paid “whatever is right.” And the workers were perfectly content with that promise. Most of us fall into that category. When we decided to follow Jesus we didn’t even concern ourselves with what benefits we would receive. It was enough to know that as we walked in the Way, the Spirit would fill our hearts with love and set our minds at ease. The new life in Christ is reward enough in itself – we don’t have to worry about a payday at the end. Of course there is work to do on the way – we have been entrusted with the loving and serving that is part of Jesus’ mission. But God will take care of us and we will receive what is right.
Thought for the Day: What are the wages of life in Christ?
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