In the first 13 verses of chapter 20 of the Book of Matthew, Jesus is telling the parable about workers being paid equally. Jesus further explained the participation rules of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is only by God's grace.
In this illustration, God is the householder, and believers are the workers. This illustration is particularly for the individuals who might feel privileged due to their heritage or by the alleged position of authority that they may hold.
It is likewise to the people who might feel predominant on the grounds that they might have invested such a lot of energy with Christ as a Christian. Furthermore, it is added to any new believers as a consolation of the grace of God.
This anecdote is not about remunerations, yet it is about salvation. It is a solid education about the grace of God and his generosity toward humanity. We ought not to resent the people who go to God in the last snapshots of life, in light of the fact that, truly, nobody merits timeless life.
Many individuals that we do not anticipate finding in the Kingdom will be there. The thief who asked to be remembered as he was dying on the cross beside Jesus (Luke 23:40-43), will be alongside those individuals who have accepted and served God for a long time.
Does it seem fair to our standards that this is the case? God’s grace is there for anyone at any time? Given the circumstances, we should center around God's benevolence toward us, and be grateful for what we have.
This huge story represents a vital truth: it is not the measure of time, which we serve nor the unmistakable quality or significance of our position, which decides our reward. We will be compensated for our steadfastness to the errand that God has given us to perform, paying little heed to how little or how irrelevant it might show up as.
Suffice it to say, the Lord will someday reward the person who may have been a member of a small church. He or she may not have sung in a choir, never taught a Sunday School class, nor been a part of a church committee. That person may not have done anything of importance within the church but look at the rewards he or she may have.
The person might have never addressed hundreds or thousands of individuals like some ministers and evangelists do, yet they loyally brought up their youngsters, and possibly those kids became teachers who served God on unfamiliar soil or someplace within their own country. That mother or father had been dependable in the assignment that was given to them by God.
Somebody might vocally protest that "those individuals did not function or work as hard as I did." That might be valid, yet God will not remunerate us for the measure of work we have done. He will compensate us as indicated by our devotion to do the work that he has called us to do.
Maybe God has not called a few of us to accomplish something extraordinary or fantastic for him, yet would we say that we are unwavering in doing what he has allocated for us to do?
Can we or will we be able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Jesus needs laborers (Matthew 9:38) who know how to function and manage individuals' concerns. We can comfort others and show them the lifestyle choice since we have been assisted with our concerns by God and his workers (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
In Luke 10:2, Jesus was conveying 35 groups of two each to go out to others, the multitudes. They were not to attempt to do the occupation without assistance. Rather, they were to ask God for additional helpers.
Certain individuals, when they comprehend the gospel, want to go to work quickly by reaching unsaved individuals. In this instance, we should mobilize people to first pray, then gather a band of prayer warriors.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary tells us that the immediate object of this parable is, to show that the Jews were first called into the vineyard, finally, the gospel should be spread to the Gentiles, and that they are to be conceded to the same advantages and benefits with the Jews.
However, the illustration might be applied all the more by and large to show us that God is not in debt to anyone; an extraordinary truth. The Bible illustrates that many who start last, now and then by God’s grace, may sometimes reach a more noteworthy accomplishment in effect, biblical knowledge, and grace, than others whose entry into the faith was all the earlier.
In verse three, the householder went out about the third hour into the marketplace and found others standing idly by. The marketplace represents the world, furthermore, it is from there that the Gospel of Christ has called us.
Only believing in Christ and accepting him as Lord and Savior is what prompts a home in heaven. Christians should work diligently to glorify the Lord and bring others to Christ, and because of the genuineness of our hearts will we obtain rewards in heaven.
In 1 Peter we are told that we shall receive a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). But we are to be sober, be vigilant, and be steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).
In verses four-six, the householder went out each time the workers went out, compelling those to come and work in the vineyard. We can look at this as a progression from the calling of the Jews to the calling of the Gentiles (Mark 16:15; Luke 14:23).
The Gentiles may have been called in at the eleventh hour, but they receive the same as what was offered unto the Jews, salvation. The invitation has been given, many will accept it and work, many will not.
There might be those that were offered the gospel at the third hour, the sixth hour, and the ninth hour yet denied the call. But when that call comes at the eleventh hour, they cannot say that they had not been called. God sends the invitation to everybody to come to him, come by faith in Christ (Acts 4:12).
For further reading:
What Is a Parable in the Bible? Meaning and 10 Examples
What Is the Parable of the Sower? Bible Meaning and Text
What Is the Parable of the Talents?
What Does it Mean That We Are Co-Workers with God?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/BenGoode