Striving To Get the Very Most From Jesus’ Parables

by Joel Hendon⁽¹⁷¹⁾ Red Star

http://hebronics.org/index.html

Jesus told a parable to his disciples in Matthew 20:1-16 which has brought on many questions and even some criticism. It isn’t a very long parable so I’d like us to read it all so we at least know what was said:

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:1-16 KJV)

It is very probable that 99% of the people today would feel as those first hired, that they should have been paid more than the last ones due to the extra labor they had exerted. But this parable was not an attempt to show how a company or business should pay their employees. It is rather an effort to show what is required of a Christian.

You see, God, or Jesus, have no need for our assistance to them. They have a requirement as to what must be done for one to be a child of God. A good example of this could be that of a Life Insurance policy. Say Mr. A has been carrying a $100,000 term life insurance policy for fifty years when he dies, his beneficiary collects $100,000. Yet, if Mr. B purchases a $100,000 term policy and dies in an automobile accident before his second premium comes due, his beneficiary also receives $100,000. This is the amount agreed upon.

When the savior promises anyone who will obey his commandments will be rewarded with a home in heaven throughout eternity, it matters not how long he has been obedient to Christ’s teaching, he will gain that reward. There are implications here that may not be readily understood. A true and faithful heart is involved. Some might say, well, I’ll just have my fun and when I get old, I’ll turn to God. NOT!

(1) You have no guarantee of tomorrow, and certainly no guarantee that you will live and do well until that time when you decide to obey God...if indeed, you ever did decide to.

(2) One cannot turn his love and respect for God on or off as he sees fit. With the attitude that you’ll obey later, you assuredly do not have the proper attitude towards God and his Son. It is possible, though unlikely, as you grow older, you might actually see your error and become a true Christian. But, as I said, that is unlikely.

Peter and the other chosen apostles actually did forsake everything they had and followed Jesus. Their hearts were (excluding that of Judas Iscariot) in sync with Jesus. Paul was chosen later and he also forsook all he had to follow after Jesus. Yet throughout the ages, many have turned to Christ whose lives were short thereafter. Should they not inherit the kingdom of heaven?

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV)

Article submitted Saturday, April 16, 2011 & read 17 times.

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