Lectionary for Sunday 25
Give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name; make music, sing your praise, tell all that God has done. Psalm 105:1, 2
Collect. Loving and righteous God, the greatness of your generosity is beyond words to describe; you give equally to the last worker as to the first. By the gift of your Spirit liberate us from all selfishness and greed; that we may be free to love and serve others, and in that self-giving to find our reward; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Exodus 16:2-15. Manna; What is it? The story of the appearance of Manna falls into several sections. We begin with the people grumbling. The harsh conditions in the wilderness had quickly made them forget the oppression that they had endured while slaves in Egypt. It is ironic that the people look back to the time of slavery in such a positive way. Perhaps it is sinful human nature to quickly blame others for the hardships and difficulties that we face. Here they blame Moses and Aaron for leading them into this predicament. Moses quickly points out that they are not right in blaming him for it was the mighty acts of God that finally released them from the bondage experienced in Egypt. Therefore it is not a grumble against Moses but they are in fact grumbling against God, in the end all grumbling is a grumble against God, just as all sin is sin against God. This was the realisation that David discovered after his murderous tryst with Bathsheba. Despite everything that David had done we read in Psalm 51, “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment”. All disobedience, including grumbling stems from a lack of trust and so is action against God.(Deuteronomy 1 :27)
Even though the people are grumbling against God, God graciously sends both bread and meat in order to sustain them. God’s provision is not based solely on present need but on the faithfulness of God who always fulfils his promise to love and care for his people. However the provision of food was both a reminder that it was God who had lead them out from Egypt and it is also a test, to see if the people could learn to trust God and be obedient. The people are to rely on God’s provision just as God has instructed them. In the morning there will be a supply of bread and in the evening there would be sufficient meat. They are instructed to gather the amount of food that will be needed for each day and no more. In this way they demonstrate that they are willing to trust God to daily be their provider. Despite the grumbling God not only supplied them with food to sustain them but also showed the people the sign that they were not alone, God was always present with them. It was the faithfulness of God and not their present need that brought the rescue that they needed.
Prayer. Holy Lord, you are the great provider for all your people and through you we are richly blessed. So we give to you all thanks and praise not only for your guidance and grace but for health and strength and life itself. Above all we thank you for Jesus Christ our Lord for by his sacrificial love we are eternally linked to you. Grant that we may always walk in His way and let our words and actions be worthy of his gracious provision. We pray in name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Reading. Matthew 20:1-16. The parable describes the conditions in the kingdom of heaven but it is an accurate description of the working conditions that day labourers would face at the time of Jesus. Those seeking work would gather in the market place and wait to be hired. They would come prepared for a day’s work for the reality of day workers was a hand to mouth existence. A day’s pay provided only enough money to feed the family for one day with little or nothing left over. The men described in the parable are on the lowest rung of the society: even a slave was entitled to be fed daily by his or her master. These men had no other way by which they could provide food for their families. For a labourer to stand in the market place all day simply waiting to be hired speaks of desperation not to mention great determination. The day described is a normal farmer’s day, sun up to sun set. The landowner went out several times to hire labourers, this reveals the urgency that surrounds gathering in the harvest before the weather changes or the fruit or grain becomes unusable.
As we consider the parable we remember that this is not a description of this present life situation but is describing an aspect of the kingdom, thus the closing statement is important, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”(verse 16)
The labourers hired first expected greater benefits but this principle does not apply, all were regarded as equal. Jesus is speaking to the Jews who knew they were the chosen people and therefore considered that they were first in every respect concerning the things of God. Jesus is making it clear that no such precedent applies in the kingdom. However the same is true for Christians. Whether one is a Christian all their life or makes a confession of faith at the last moment makes no difference, the eternal benefits are the same. As in the parable each one receives the same provision of salvation. At the same time the parable reminds us that God, who is the landowner, is constantly seeking for those who are willing to be included in the gathering in process. God’s arms are always outstretched longing to gather in labourers. Similarly God’s compassion is clearly shown for it is never God’s will that anyone would be lost. (Matthew 18:14) The parable describes that while no one can gain a special advantage each one who accepts the invitation to come and labour will be fully satisfied, accepted and secure. The kingdom is formed around God’s love and compassion and through his mercy all who come will find the completeness that only the kingdom can offer.
Prayer. Holy God in your love and mercy you reach out equally to each one of us. Your care extends to each member and in your care each finds a special place, no one is neglected or overlooked. Though we are all accepted each one of us is unique and equipped to play our part in your glorious kingdom. We thank you and praise you for preparing a place for us. Now being gifted by your grace may we fulfil the tasks that you have set before us, ever giving honour and glory to you. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. O God, you have enlisted us as co-workers with your Son. Give us thankful hearts, eager minds and willing hands, that we may be content to labour where you have set us for the sake of Christ our Lord. Amen.
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