Wednesday 21 August 2019

What Would The Trade Unions Say About Jesus?


In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus tells the story of a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. He went out again at 9 o'clock and found some more workers whom he sent to the vineyard. At noon and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon he did the same. And then again at 5 o'clock, he found more idle workers whom he sent to the vineyard.

At the end of the day he asked his manager to pay the last people first. Those that started at 5 o'clock got paid the normal daily wage. Those who started in the morning rubbed their hands with glee expecting more money. But they too got paid the same daily wage. Not surprisingly, they were angry.

What would the Trade Unions say about this if they existed at the time of Jesus? They would probably call a strike, and indeed ask for a wage increase for everyone.

On the face of it, this parable does seem a little unfair. We probably sympathise with those workers who worked all day and got paid the same as the ones who worked for just one hour. But let's consider what Jesus is teaching us here.

The vineyard is of course Paradise. Heaven.

The landowner is God. Only He decides who is to enter Heaven. You and I have no say in the matter.

We may think we know a lot about religion and Christianity but in reality we know nothing. Only God knows what is in the heart and minds of people and only He decides who is to enter Heaven.

Now about the workers who go to the vineyard at different times of the day. The different times represent when certain people get to know God and to follow His word.

Some people get to know God early in their lives. They are the first in the vineyard. They are probably born in a religious family and have been brought up as Christians and keep God's Word throughout their lives.

The others at 9 o'clock, noon and so on get to know and love God later in their lives. Perhaps in their teens, or in adulthood.

The last ones at 5 o'clock are those who get to know God at the end of their lives. Just before they die. They truly repent and ask forgiveness and as they die they go to Heaven.

Now the temptation is to live a "St Augustine" hedonistic lifestyle enjoying all that there is to enjoy in life and then, at the last minute, repent and go to Heaven.

But there is no guarantee that you will get the opportunity to repent before you die, is there? You might die suddenly and then ... bingo ... you're going down with no parachute.

And if you were to repent in the last minute, God who sees deep within your soul, will know whether you have truly and genuinely repented, or whether you are cashing in an insurance policy at the last moment so you can enter Heaven. You can't fool God, you know!

So that's what it's all about this arriving at the vineyard at different times.

And if you are one of those who arrived early, and got to know and love God as a child or when you were young, then your job here on earth is to be God's recruitment officer.

By living the kind of life He would wish you to live you'd be an example that others would admire and wish to emulate. And because of you, more people would arrive at the vineyard, later than you maybe, but they'd arrive all the same.

What an honour for you to serve the Lord in this way.

And one final thought, why be envious of God's generosity? If He chooses someone you do not think worthy to enter Heaven, should you not be glad of a late conversion and one more soul saved?  Or would you want that person to be in hell?

What if, when you are in Heaven you meet someone you thought does not merit to be there? What would you do? Object?

What if someone else in Heaven does not think you are worthy to be there?

23 comments:

  1. When I was young I thought this parable was COMPLETELY unfair. However, that's changes as I've gotten older. Now I see, as you said, God gets to decide who has lived a life such that they can enter heaven. Not me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Kathy, we think the parable is unfair because we see it as it really is: a man hiring people at different times of the day. But that is not what Jesus meant. He was talking about who enters Heaven and when in their lives they find God.

      I've still to work out the parable of the prodigal son.

      God bless.

      Delete
    2. I'm with you on the Prodigal Son! It still feels like the older son got the shaft.

      Delete
    3. I guess the message there is the same as in this parable. We should not judge God's generosity in forgiving. He forgave the younger son, and the older one just could not accept how generous the father, (God), was/is.

      God bless, Kathy.

      Delete
  2. All those in heaven are there by God's hand and who am I to argue with the decisions that He makes!
    I am a believer in unions for fairness...but not where God is concerned. He has the last word and being that He is a loving God I trust Him with my salvation~

    God's Blessings Victor~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Jan. God and only He decides who enters Heaven.

      God bless you always my friend.

      Delete
  3. As my father said, 'at a certain level of authority, argument is pointless.' And I think there's some wisdom in remembering that I don't have all wisdom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very wise, Brian. There is no point in us arguing with God on what should or should not be done.

      God bless you.

      Delete
  4. God loves those who come late to the party as much as He does those who showed up early. Love this parable, especially since I myself was a "late bloomer."
    Blessings, Victor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, Martha. God loves us and is glad whenever a new one joins the party.

      God bless.

      Delete
  5. Thank you Victor. This was a very thought provoking post. Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Regardless how smart or pious we THINK we are, Father knows best! I hope you've enjoyed a beautiful day, Victor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, God knows best what is in our hearts.

      Happy Day, Mevely. God bless.

      Delete
  7. Good post, Victor. Coming late is better than not arriving at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said, Bill. Well said.

      God bless you always.

      Delete
  8. I'd love to see everyone in heaven some day!! :)
    I think that we are the ones who decide if we are going to heaven by accepting the free gift of salvation.
    God would like to see us all in heaven, it is our choice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is our choice. We can always say NO to God's invitation.

      God bless, Happyone.

      Delete
  9. I have worked out the meaning of this parable by thinking of my loved ones who are not believers. If they come at the last minute, I am happy they will be in paradise with me. Sadly they have missed the peace here on this earth when we Know Him, but thankfully they can reap the reward-NONE of us deserve!
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess Lulu, many of us have relatives or friends who are not believers. Let us pray they get to know the Lord before it is too late.

      God bless.

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I wish we cold EDIT our comments!! Thank you for always visiting my blog AND for your prayers! It is so hard to always trust in our Lord that he knows our hearts, but He does and His timing is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree it can be hard at times to trust in our Lord; but this should not stop us from trying. Praying for you and yours, Terri.

      God bless.

      Delete

I PRAY FOR ALL WHO COMMENT HERE.

God bless you.