After leaving Galilee, Jesus came into the region of Judea where He continued His teaching. After hearing the Lord tell a young man to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and in return he would have treasure in heaven, Peter came to Him saying, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (vs. 19:27) In response Jesus not only describes the rewards that await those who sacrifice for his sake, He also makes a very curious statement; “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” (vs. 19:30) He then explains what he means by telling the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
A landowner set out very early in the morning to find workers for his vineyard. The first men he hired agreed to work for the usual daily wage of a worker, and went immediately to labor in the vineyard. Throughout the day the man goes out and hires more workers agreeing to pay them whatever is right. At the end of the day the landowner tells his foreman to, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first." (vs. 20:8) The men hired last and who worked the least were not only paid first, they were paid the same wage as the men who had worked the whole day. Now as you can imagine this didn’t set well with the men who had worked from morning to dusk, and so they complained. To their grumblings the landowner replied, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I wish to give to this last the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (vs. 20:13-16)
I have to admit that I use to struggle with the meaning of this parable. At first glance it seems a lesson about an unjust landowner, and how life isn’t fair. But when you dig deeper, you find it’s a lesson in grace and how a fair God pays a fair wage to all of His workers.
The group of disgruntled vineyard laborers represent the Israelites, more specifically the Pharisees, who were angered at the thought of God’s kingdom being available not only to them, but to all. Filled with jealousy they grumbled against the Lord for His blessings not being reserved for them alone. Now I have to confess, that I too have had that same attitude. Twinges of jealousy when I saw God bless others while I, His long suffering servant, wait for my own. I too have thought that because I’ve worked harder or longer for the Lord I deserve to be paid first, or more than the next. But such an attitude reveals a heart that has forgotten the meaning of grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor and mercy. Grace is what He extends to all of His laborers; regardless of when they joined the workforce. Grace is what enables us to all receive the same glorious wage of eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)
As Ruler and Creator of all, God is free to bestow His blessings when and on whom He wills. But we can trust that He is faithful to all the workers in His kingdom. To longtime laborers the Lord promises to reward our perseverance and obedience (Col. 3:23-24). To new laborers He promises that the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are entitled to the same benefit package as those hired before us. (Eph. 1:13-14). So rejoice! For regardless if you are first or last to receive His blessings, we can all celebrate the promise of an eternity spent with Jesus and in the presence of the One true living God!
