For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1 (NRSV)
As we approach this passage echoing in my mind is a short passage from the end of Job: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Gird up your loins like a man; I will question you, and you declare to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be justified? 9 Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? 10 “Deck yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendour. 11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on all who are proud, and abase them. 12 Look on all who are proud, and bring them low; tread down the wicked where they stand. 13 Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. 14 Then I will also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can give you victory. Job 40:6-14 (NRSV)
Now Job of all the biblical characters would seem to have a legitimate claim to whinge to God. Job had lost children, livestock and property. His friends were more of a hindrance than a help yet at the end of the trials and tribulations these verses resonate with God’s displeasure.
The created can never criticize the creator. It is not possible.
So!, If you are saying to yourself that this parable is clearly unfair, then you are using human wisdom to re-interpret God’s kingdom
Paul puts it more gently but actually says the same thing with these words, “ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 1 Corinthians 3:19 (NRSV)
Do not be misled God does not make mistakes;
From a human perspective the pivot point is this verse: “Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. Matthew 20:10
The daily wage meant your needs were provided for: Not lavish but way better than not being employed and going hungry. So they all got what was needed.
As a Christian how much more reward do you want! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NRSV)
This is not a parable about a Barossa Valley vineyard this is about God’s Kingdom:- This is where our eternal destiny is to be found.
In the Kingdom:-
1]. God wants everyone to be included. From early in the morning until almost nightfall the labourers were being called into the vineyard.
For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NRSV)
It is not God’s will that anyone should perish. “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV).
God does not want anyone to go hungry.
2]. Each one was called to serve. All were called to work, to work with the owner gathering in the vintage. In the new creation there will be work to do.
Many are affected with mental health issues which have increased due to the virus. We are purposeful people and the moment we are prevented from having a purpose, life becomes intolerable. The one who created us knows that very well. In God’s Kingdom we will each have a purpose. I don’t know what that purpose will be for each but there will be a purpose. Each was called to serve.
3]. God wants to be generous to everyone. The return gave to each worker sufficient:
Justice does not enter into it, but gracious generosity does. We need not look for justice but for the mercy of God’s grace which is beyond all of our needs or expectations. If we looked only for justice it would be a bleak future!
It is not about how much they worked but about how gracious God is. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?‘ Matthew 20:15 In God’s Kingdom, God is fully in charge for God brooks no rivals.
The whole parable reminds us that it is God who takes care of us. Not by wrapping us up in cotton wool but by making sure that we are fully secured.
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