Matthew 21:33-46 The Parable of the Tenants

Fruitfulness is God's expectation for my life. Jesus explains in a parable how God (master) gave every resource (a fenced vineyard with a tower and winepress) required to Israel (tenants) so that it could produce fruit. Unfortunately, when the prophets (servants) came to inspect and demand fruit, some were stoned and others killed. Finally, God sends Jesus Christ (the son) to them and they kill him (crucifixion). The vineyard has been taken away from them and given to other tenants (Gentiles) who will produce its fruits.

It is easy to focus on Israel's failure to produce, but I can fail the same way. Fruitfulness is an expectation, even a demand because God is the one who provides everything I need. All I have to do is work. I'm not talking about working for my salvation, but working out my salvation. I could develop the attitude of the first tenants and think that what God provided is mine and that I don't have to give an account to anyone. Failure to produce is not an option.

What kind of fruit does God expect from me? For starters, the fruits of the Spirit should be evident in my life. It is imperative that I take inventory of each one of them and ensure that they are produce in my vineyard: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How am I doing? There is certainly a lot of room to grow. The trend is encouraging, but I can't be lazy or careless. I must continue to work. Gardeners know this better than most: A good harvest requires much work and care.

The fruit of my vineyard should be filled with good deeds also. God has prepared many good deeds for me to do. Helping those in need. Serving the local church. Providing for those who suffer. All these are good works designed for me to do and I must not shy away from them. Ultimately, what good is faith if there are no works. Part of the good works I must accomplish is evangelism. To be a witness for the kingdom so it can expand and grow. Every soul that comes into the kingdom becomes a precious fruit of my labors.

Lord, give me diligence and watchfulness to work in your vineyard. Don't let me become a bum who produces no fruit. May there be abundant fruit in my life day by day. Strengthen me to work; encourage me to persevere; fill me with hope.

Matthew 20:1-16 Laborers in the Vineyard

This parable compares the kingdom of God with a master of a house who goes out to hire workers. Our Master Jesus Christ is in the business of hiring workers for the kingdom. People who are idle represent people who are of this world and those who are hired become part of the kingdom. From a kingdom perspective, not matter what I do, I am idle unless I am working for the kingdom. The master is hiring throughout the day until the eleventh hour.

Some were hired early in the morning, others at the third, sixth, and eleventh hour. The early morning workers were promised a denarius (a day's wages) for their work, but all the others were told "whatever is right I will give you." The early morning worker could very well represent the Jews as the ones first chosen by God to receive his law. Those hired later are the Gentiles to whom the apostles turned when the Jews did not respond to the good news of the Gospel. There is also a sense in which the workers could represent the different stages in life of a person that comes into the kingdom. Some start at an early age; others come to the kingdom very late in life (the eleventh hour). 

When evening came, at the end of the day, the workers are called to receive their wages. Again, we can follow the dual meaning of the end of the age, judgment day as well as the end of our lives. Both represent the call of God upon us, the end of our work, and the day of reckoning before our God. Those who were hired last, were called first and payed the same amount promised to the early workers. The basis of our reward in heaven is not the amount of our work, but the grace of God. This is not to say that there are no degrees of rewards but what is in view here is the basis or merits of our pay. The basis of our wages is God's grace and generosity.

The workers hired at the end of the day were "made equal" to the early morning workers. Jews and Gentiles are equal in the sight of God. The barriers between them have been removed by the gracious work of Jesus Christ. I have to be careful not to begrudge God's generosity when I see someone come into kingdom work after me and have awesome results and effectiveness early in their ministries. God is the one who gives and takes away. Whatever my lot, it is by God's grace and mercy. I should be happy to see others come into the kingdom late and be used mightily by my God. The first will be last because God has designed that way so that we may not boast and become arrogant in our work. The last will be first so we can learn to humbly rejoice with our co-workers in their accomplishments.

Lord, prepare my soul for pay day. May I not begrudge your generosity when I see the eleventh hour workers paid the same as me. Give me joy everlasting to celebrate their work in the kingdom. Keep be from boasting. Keep me from arrogance. Help me be alert to seek and find new workers for your kingdom.