Matthew 20:1-16

The parable of the labourers in the vineyard could be one of the most scandalous parables that Jesus told. The idea that the worker who came into work at the end of the day would receive the same compensation as the worker who came in early and worked doesn’t sit right in our capitalistic and individualistic society, but there it is. Right there in the middle of the Gospel of Matthew.
What this parable reveals is how vast the separation in our thinking about how the kingdom of God is and what our thinking of it tends to be.

We really are never more prone to gloss over the teachings of Jesus than when he broaches the subject of money.
In this parable, Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a person who has worked only one hour being paid the same amount as someone who has worked all day. Think about that. In this story, a group of people worked all day and received a fair wage for a day's work, but the other group of people worked only one hour and still receive the same wage.

We are convinced that this is inequitable
We call it unfair
The kingdom of God is a scandal of grace! Not an idea formed on merit.

The vineyard owner, (who Is obviously represents God) was more interested in giving people what they needed rather than what they deserved.
He was also willing to do this at his own expense.

The vineyard owner is the only person that suffers loss in this story.

In this story, no one is cheated.

the anger of the first group at work was not based on injustice, but on envious resentment.
The Vineyard owner didn’t want any of his workers to go home hungry, no matter how long they worked.
This parable is designed to provoke the Pharisees who think that they deserve the love of God more than the others.

You can see the similarities between this parable and the much more palatable cousin of this Parable, The prodigal son.

If we fear that someone we deem as less deserving than us will be made equal to us based on their need and Gods love, we are still operating according to the economy and not according to grace.
Do we read this as a labourer who has worked all day? If we do then why are we so convinced of our deservedness.

God works based on need and that is it… and we all need him.
Lord Jesus, help us to not be offended at your scandal of Grace.
Thank you that we all come under one cover, and that cover is you.

help us to see ourselves as paul saw himself. The chief of sinners saved by grace.

Amen.

Music: Salt of The Sound - I Neet Thee
Dear Gravity - Peace Finds Breath
Salt of the Sound - Stay 

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