We all have a sense of fairness that we establish ourselves. When things go against our value of fairness, we feel betrayed and being treated unfairly. One's standard of justice is based on the needs and the environment. The justice system in India is not the same as it is in the US, and is very different from China. So is with the justice system of the kingdom of God. It differs from human sense of justice and fairness in that it is based on grace and mercy.
A rich young man came to Jesus to ask what good deeds he must do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and come follow. Peter picks up on this story and says to Jesus, “We have given up everything? What are we going to get?” Peter still wants a formula. Then Jesus tells the parable of the workers to say that God does not work with a formula. The mathematics of grace is that everyone wins.
In some parts of the world, the people gather daily in the town square or grocery store or gas stations looking for work in the hope that they will earn enough to feed their family for that day. To not find work is to go hungry. It is the strongest and the young who are chosen first. They get the full day’s pay. But the others, the old and the disabled, remain in hope that someone will still chose them for work. If more workers are required the employers will come back. The stronger ones who are still waiting are chosen. To hire a person at the end of the day also has the need to feed the family and survive that day.
In this parable the laborers and the owner agree on a wage. But when the owner decides to give the same ‘daily wage’ to those who worked less time, those who were hired first are envious, jealous and resentful. They thought, "We should get at least a bonus or some incentive." It is not about what we deserve but about what we need and the master knows it best. He doesn’t pay a “fair wage” but He is committed to supplying all his workers needs. The landlord is concerned that all who would work for him have enough for their needs. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
We all measure of out of standard in front of God’s scale of justice – no matter what we think of ourselves. If fairness were the measure, all of us will be more like the evening worker than the morning worker. God’s grace overlooks all that we are and all that we have done. We have been chosen to be part of God's kingdom in spite of who we are. We are all invited to be workers in the vineyard. We want to spread the good news that Jesus died for everyone, to invite everyone to be a part of the Kingdom.
For those who have been faithful for so many years, there is the joy of living a faithful life. For those who have come to faith later in life, God’s grace is no less wonderful, they only regret the years of not being able to live in the joy of God's presence. "The Carpenter encouraged the goldsmith" (Isaiah 41: 7) The Carpenter operates on wood to the goldsmith on gold. One uses a hammer and chisel the other works with the fine instruments. Instead of complaining, they encouraged each other. Let us encourage each other to be faithful for his kingdom. Grace may not be fair, but it is far better than justice.
Blessings
Click the link below to hear more
Comments
Post a Comment