Matthew 20:1-16
I must admit, that I am not sure how this parable should be interpreted. I am sorely tempted to grab a couple of commentaries, compare what others have written and then see who has the most convincing argument. I will resist this temptation for two reasons: my library is in Brazil while I am in Salina KS, and I really want to do these posts with just my Bible, pen, journal and laptop. Not that I have anything against commentaries, I just want to try to look at these passages from a fresh perspective. So here we go.
I guess, by way of interpretation, there are really only three viable options that come to mind. Option one would be that Jesus was teaching us about the rewards of salvation. This would be consistent with the fact that it does not matter how long you are saved, all will be rewarded with heaven. Option two would be that Jesus was teaching us about the rewards for faithful service. This would illustrate that our rewards are not based on how much we do but on our faithfulness with the opportunities and gifts we were given. Option three would be that Jesus was making a contrast between Jew and Gentile believers. This would be consistent with the fact that there was grumbling on the part of those represented by the Jews. Rather than focus on any one of these options, I would like to look at this parable from the perspective of what it teaches us about God and what we should strive to apply to ourselves.
GOD IS GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS. It is by God's grace alone that anyone is given the opportunity to be rewarded by God for we are all deserving of His wrath. But God is so gracious that He continues to offer opportunities time and time again. Gos is also generous in that He rewards, not according to the human sense of fairness, but according to His divine justice. It is vital to remember that any reward, given to sinful men by a holy God, is an act of generosity. His grace and generosity are attributes that are worthy of our praise and worship and should also be a motivation to service.
WE MUST BE FAITHFUL AND THANKFUL. God is looking for faithfulness in our lives. Not everyone has the same opportunities or level of giftedness and God is well aware of this. If we are faithful with what God has given us, His reward will be just. His faithfulness is not in question, but ours is. Are we making the most of every opportunity that God gives us? God also wants us to be grateful for the opportunities and rewards that He, in His sovereignty, grants. We like to try to compare ourselves with one another which, inevitably, spons jealousy or pride and, ultimately, discontent. This is not how God wants us to live. We are to be eternally thankful for the honor of knowing and serving Him and realize that all of us are privileged to be objects of His everlasting generosity and grace.
I guess, by way of interpretation, there are really only three viable options that come to mind. Option one would be that Jesus was teaching us about the rewards of salvation. This would be consistent with the fact that it does not matter how long you are saved, all will be rewarded with heaven. Option two would be that Jesus was teaching us about the rewards for faithful service. This would illustrate that our rewards are not based on how much we do but on our faithfulness with the opportunities and gifts we were given. Option three would be that Jesus was making a contrast between Jew and Gentile believers. This would be consistent with the fact that there was grumbling on the part of those represented by the Jews. Rather than focus on any one of these options, I would like to look at this parable from the perspective of what it teaches us about God and what we should strive to apply to ourselves.
GOD IS GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS. It is by God's grace alone that anyone is given the opportunity to be rewarded by God for we are all deserving of His wrath. But God is so gracious that He continues to offer opportunities time and time again. Gos is also generous in that He rewards, not according to the human sense of fairness, but according to His divine justice. It is vital to remember that any reward, given to sinful men by a holy God, is an act of generosity. His grace and generosity are attributes that are worthy of our praise and worship and should also be a motivation to service.
WE MUST BE FAITHFUL AND THANKFUL. God is looking for faithfulness in our lives. Not everyone has the same opportunities or level of giftedness and God is well aware of this. If we are faithful with what God has given us, His reward will be just. His faithfulness is not in question, but ours is. Are we making the most of every opportunity that God gives us? God also wants us to be grateful for the opportunities and rewards that He, in His sovereignty, grants. We like to try to compare ourselves with one another which, inevitably, spons jealousy or pride and, ultimately, discontent. This is not how God wants us to live. We are to be eternally thankful for the honor of knowing and serving Him and realize that all of us are privileged to be objects of His everlasting generosity and grace.
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