The Parable Of The Laborers In The Vineyard

The Parable Of The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 Setting § Most likely, in Perea Mt 19: 1 § Jesus is still on His way to Jerusalem § The Rich Young Ruler has just finished his encounter with Jesus Mt 19: 16 -26

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 Setting § The disciples had for months been discussing…even “arguing”…which one among them was the greatest Mt 18: 1 Mk 9: 34 Lk 9: 46 § They would even continue this on

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 Setting § The parable is “sandwiched” between Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question and the request of James & John’s mother Mt 19: 28 -30 20: 20 -228 § Notice Mtshall 19: 30 & 20: 16 first [Before The last be first…the

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Parable § A landowner needed laborers…he “contracted” with a group early in the morning vv. 1 -2 § He also went out at other times of the day to find more laborers

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Parable § At day’s end, the landowner paid the laborers in reverse order of hire v. 8 § Those hired last (in the 11 th hour) received 1 denarius v. 9 § Those hired first expected much

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Parable § The laborers hired first complained at being “unfairly treated” vv. 11 -12 § They had done most of the work § Others hired after them should not have been made equal to them

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Parable § The landowner justified his actions as “fair” vv. 13 -15 § He had done them no wrong…had he not paid them according to their agreement? § If he wanted to be generous with his own money, that was his

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The parable addresses an attitude not to be found among Jesus’ disciples § “Rewards for faithful service” is not based upon deeds done others won’t do, or the length of service

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The parable only focuses on 2 groups – § The “first” group vv. 2, 10 -15 § The “last” group vv. 6 -9 “The last shall be first…the first shall be last. ” Mt 19: 30 20: 16

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The laborers hired first are those who consider themselves more “valuable” than others based on their work § Pay had to be “negotiated” prior to their work v. 2 § They expected to receive more

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The laborers hired last are those who put their trust in God to be treated right § They were willing to work whatever was available (“desperate” at the 11 th hour) § They trusted they would be treated

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § Imagine the laborers at pay time § The 11 th hour laborers § They could not have believed their eyes!! § A full day’s pay for only 1 hour of work § They certainly had not earned such

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § Imagine the laborers at pay time § The 1 st hour laborers § Upon seeing what the 11 th hour laborers receive, they must have happily thought “What will we get for our labor!? !” cp. Mt 19: 27

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § Imagine the laborers at pay time § The 1 st hour laborers § No one can “earn” anything from God Rom 4: 1 -5 § Salvation is not “pay”…it is God’s gift § He bestows grace & mercy to the

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The laborers hired first were unhappy at the landowner § He was cheating them § They were also unhappy at the other laborers hired after them § They had been made equal to them

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The laborers hired first could have been grateful for what was theirs v. 14 neither of these They were § Gratitude toward God § They could also have been happy at the good fortunes of other

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § A “hireling” § One who serves for hire, especially for purely monetary reasons or motives § To have a “hireling spirit” is to labor for another only to receive pay

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § Addressing this “hireling spirit”… § Greatness in the kingdom will not be based upon length or amount of labor § Greatness will be in believing in God’s goodness, trusting Him to

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The “usual” interpretation… § The parable discusses those who come to Christ at different stages of life § While it is true man come to the Lord at any age, does the surrounding context support

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The context does not seem to have this view in mind § Jesus addresses Peter’s question after the young ruler departs Mt 19: 27 § Those who think their labor is worthy of a certain reward will be

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Application § The context does not seem to have this view in mind § Those who are glad to labor for God, and who simply & humbly trust His good favor to give them whatever He thinks is right will be first

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Lesson § It is not how great the labor nor how long we labor that makes us great in the kingdom…but how true the heart § Do I possess the “hireling spirit? ” § Do I compare myself to other

The Laborers In The Vineyard Mt 20: 1 -16 The Lesson § It is not how great the labor nor how long we labor that makes us great in the kingdom…but how true the heart § Do I simply put my trust in God…that He will give whatever He thinks is “right? ”