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The Laborers In The Vineyard (Mat_20:1 - Mat_20:16)
INTRODUCTION
1. In our previous study in "The Parables Of Jesus"...
a. We saw that "an unforgiving spirit" has no place in the hearts of
those who would make up the kingdom of heaven
b. Cf. "The Unmerciful Servant", Mat_18:21 - Mat_18:35
2. Our next parable identifies another attitude of heart that has no
place in the kingdom...
a. This parable is known as "The Laborers In The Vineyard"
b. Found in Mat_20:1 - Mat_20:16, let's begin with a careful reading of it
(READ)
3. The meaning of this parable has challenged many expositors, and
explanations offered have been varied
[While admittedly difficult, I believe the main point can be determined
with a fair degree of certainty. Especially if we begin by taking into
consideration...]
I. THE SETTING
A. THE CONVERSATION WITH THE RICH YOUNG RULER - Mat_19:16 - Mat_19:22
1. Jesus had been approached by this man with a question
concerning eternal life
2. In the course of their conversation, Jesus challenged the
young man to give up all and follow Him
3. The man went away sorrowful, unable to accept the challenge
B. THE DISCUSSION WITH THE DISCIPLES - Mat_19:23 - Mat_19:26
1. Jesus used this opportunity to teach how difficult it is for
the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven
2. This causes the disciples to wonder who then could be saved?
3. Jesus' response is that with God all things are possible
C. THE QUESTION RAISED BY PETER - Mat_19:27
1. Unlike the rich young man, Peter and the other disciples had
accepted the challenge to give up all and follow Jesus - cf.
Mat_4:18 - Mat_4:22
2. So he asks: "Therefore what shall we have?"
3. It appears that Peter is wanting to know...
a. If the rich can be saved (though barely, and with the help
of God)...
b. What more will those receive, who have given up all to
follow Christ?
4. Peter's question could be viewed as coming from a commercial
or mercenary spirit...
a. I.e., having some sort of personal profit as a chief aim
b. I.e., motivated solely by a desire for personal gain
5. Peter's motive may have been pure, in which case Jesus'
complete answer may have been designed to be a "pre-emptive
strike" against any improper motives
D. THE REPLY GIVEN BY JESUS - Mat_19:28 - Mat_19:30
1. First, an assurance...
a. Specifically, to the apostles - Mat_19:28
1) In the "regeneration", they will be judging the twelve
tribes of Israel
2) This promise could refer either to:
a) Their role as apostles in the gospel age following
Pentecost - cf. Mat_16:19
b) A special role following the return of Christ when He
comes to judge the world - cf. Mat_25:31-ff
b. Generally, to all disciples - Mat_19:29
1) In this life, a "hundredfold" houses, brothers, sisters,
etc.
2) In the age to come, "everlasting life" - cf. Mar_10:29 - Mar_10:30
3) I.e., those who give up all will receive more than
enough in return
2. But then, a warning - Mat_19:30
a. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
b. A rather cryptic warning, one repeated again in Mat_20:16
[Since this warning both precedes and follows the parable we are
studying, it is evident that the parable was told to explain the
warning! And since the warning was first given in response to Peter's
question, any explanation of the parable should be based upon the
setting that preceded its telling.
With this in mind, let's proceed to consider...]
II. THE PARABLE AND ITS MESSAGE
A. THE PARABLE SUMMARIZED...
1. Early in the morning, a landowner hires laborers to work for
an agreed upon wage - Mat_20:1 - Mat_20:2
2. Later, at different hours of the day, he finds more and hires
them also, for a fair but unspecified wage - Mat_20:3 - Mat_20:7
3. At the end of the day, they are all paid equally, which
irritates those who had worked all day - Mat_20:8 - Mat_20:12
4. The landowner responds to the complainers...
a. I treated you fairly, for you received according to our
agreement - Mat_20:13 - Mat_20:14a
b. I wish to pay the others the same - Mat_20:14b
1) Do I have not the right? - Mat_20:15a
2) Are you envious, because I am gracious? - Mat_20:15b
5. Jesus concludes by repeating the warning - Mat_20:16 (some
manuscripts add another warning: "For many are called, but
few chosen")
B. THE MESSAGE OF THE PARABLE...
1. Many and varied have been the interpretations; for example...
a. The various bands of workers are the O.T. saints; those
called at the eleventh hour are the apostles
b. The workers first called are the Jews, those called last
are the Gentiles
c. The parable represents the whole gospel age up to Christ's
return, and the workers are groups saved at various periods
d. It refers to different periods of a person's life in which
he may respond to the Lord: some responding early, others
late in life
2. Since this parable is in response to Peter's question, I
suggest...
a. That the first workers represent the apostles and others
like them
1) Who are called by Christ through the gospel early in
life
2) And who therefore may labor long and hard in the
"vineyard" (i.e., the kingdom of God)
b. The other workers represent those who are called by Christ
via the gospel at various times
1) Some of whom are called late in life
2) Who do not have opportunity to do as much for the Lord
3. In light of this interpretation, the main point of the parable
is...
a. What everyone receives will be more than "fair" ("Did you
not agree with me...?")
b. No one has the right to question the "generosity" of the
Lord ("Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my
own things?")
c. Those who may serve long and hard should not be "envious"
if others receive the same reward ("Is your eye evil
because I am good?")
d. Therefore no one should serve the Lord with a commercial or
mercenary spirit!
1) The very danger Peter was close to falling into by the
question he raised!
2) A danger to which we are all susceptible!
4. Perhaps I should stress that this parable is NOT saying that
those who purposely put off obeying Christ until the last
moment can be saved!
a. If that were the point, the parable would have been worded
differently
1) Notice that those who responded at the late hour of the
day had not been working "Because no one hired us" - Mt
20:7
2) They accepted the offer as soon as they heard it, though
late in the day
-- They were not people who turned down many opportunities
to accept the offer to labor in the vineyard, only to
accept at the last hour!
b. Whether one can be saved at the last moment after lifelong
rejection of the gospel is another question
1) One which only the Lord can rightfully answer
2) However, notice what is said of those who remain in a
condition of rejecting the gospel:
a) They judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life
- cf. Act_13:46
b) They are storing up for themselves wrath in the day
of wrath - cf. Rom_2:4 - Rom_2:11
CONCLUSION
1. It is my understanding that the proper application of this parable
is this...
a. When we are called by the gospel to obey Christ, we should
respond at once!
1) For some, we may hear the invitation early in life
2) Others may not come to know of the gospel until late in life
b. As laborers in the vineyard (i.e., the kingdom), we should work
diligently in whatever time we may have left
1) We may be blessed to offer a full life of service to the Lord
2) Or we may only have a short time
c. We should do whatever we can without a commercial or mercenary
spirit (e.g., "Do I get more because I gave more?")
2. With this parable, we learn more about those in the kingdom of
heaven...
a. Just as the parable of "The Unmerciful Servant" teaches us there
is no place in the kingdom of heaven for "an unforgiving
spirit"...
b. So the parable of "The Laborers In The Vineyard" teaches us there
is no room in the kingdom of heaven for those with either "a
mercenary spirit" or "an envious spirit"!
3. My fellow Christians, what is our attitude toward our service to
Christ?
a. One of gratitude?
b. Or one of commercialism?
-- There is only one attitude that is acceptable!
4. For those who are not yet Christians...
a. Why not let the gracious spirit of the "landowner" revealed in
this parable encourage you to accept the grace of God in humble
obedience to His gospel?
b. Why not live out the rest of your life in grateful service to
Him?