“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.- Matthew 20:1-4
Let’s start with a little background to aid our understanding: This parable is a continuation of Jesus’s answer to Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27-30.
- Jesus encountered a rich young ruler and asked him to go and sell his possessions and follow Him. But the rich young ruler declined the offer.
- Then Jesus mentioned that “it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom… but with God all things are possible” (which means with God all people, all kinds, can be saved).
- Peter now asked Jesus: “We have left everything to follow you“ (which is what the rich young ruler couldn’t do). “Therefore, what shall we have” or what is our reward?
So now, Jesus explains the various rewards for His followers and we want to share those with you briefly:
#1. Rewards of thrones in eternity: (v28)
“Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
#2. A 100-fold return of sacrifices on earth and eternal life for all: (v29)
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."
After these two rewards, Jesus makes this statement: “But many who are first [in this world] will be last [in the world to come]; and the last, first” (Matthew 19:30). Then in chapter 20 He explains what this means with a parable. (This is why the chapter begins with the phrase “For the kingdom…” indicating an explanation of a previous statement).
This is one of the reasons it is recommended to read the Bible in whole thoughts - or even books - to gain complete understanding. Because the chapters were inserted by translators and sometimes they break the flow of a thought; as we see in Matthew 19 and 20.
- So here in chapter 20, Jesus illustrates the necessity of humbling ourselves in God’s service and trusting or allowing God to determine the rewards (believers).
- This is probably one of the finest passages that describe the mystery of grace in the Bible.
- He sets Peter’s mind from the world’s ‘agreement’ or ‘what will i have’ mentality to a different one: people who will work with no strings attached. Don’t be legalistic with God, or else you will miss it.
- Note that it was the 6am servants who went into agreements for their wages (v13). To all the other servants, He said “I will give you whatever is right.”
And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.
I believe this is the additional answer Jesus was given to Peter’s question which is why He spoke this parable. This is further established in v16 (similar to Matthew 19:30), “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
Indeed all are called to salvation, but few will finally be saved. May we be among the few.
- In the kingdom, idleness is not accepted. God is looking for laborers and servants to work in the vineyard.
- And if you haven’t joined in, God is asking you today: “Why are you idle? Get something doing”
- There is so much work to do in the kingdom and today we’re here to stir you up to work for God.
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’
- The 11th hour is the latest time before it is too late. Now that we have some time, let’s work for God! Don’t be idle in the kingdom.
- AWG exists to equip and challenge you to work for the Lord! (Eph 4:12). Note that the people who worked at the 11th hour worked for just 1 hour.
- Can 1 hour make a difference in the kingdom? The answer is YES!!! You’d be surprised what difference your one hour of service will make.
- The rewards for serving God are incalculable in this life and beyond!! Dear brother, sweet sister, work for God! Ow and I love the reward attached to this service (v7).
- There is a certain blessing called: “whatsoever is right!” He didn’t say I will give you this amount or that amount.
- What this means is that God looks at His servants and considers what they need, and He organizes that need for them.
Example: She doesn’t have a beloved, let me organise one for her. Or you need a house, and God orchestrates that for you. He needs a financial settlement, and God says: “let Me do that for him.”
That is the blessing of “whatsoever is right.” As you serve the Lord with humility and out of love, I pray also that the Lord will give you “whatever is right” for your life, at each stage. Heyy, you’re blessed!
