Never Too Late
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard….Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius….” Matthew 20:1,10 ESV
This is a parable that reveals the Lord’s generous and gracious forgiveness to all who respond to His call. This parable Jesus tells is of a man who hires people at different times of the day. His offer is to pay a “denarius” if they will work in his vineyard.
Workers respond at different times of the day and when the day is over they all receive the agreed payment, one denarius. It would seem natural for those those who had worked throughout the day to be upset that they were treated equally to those who had only worked the last hour of the day. Human “justice” is about equity and fairness.
But Jesus is not explaining or focusing on the economics of labor relations. He is revealing the Father’s heart that none should perish, but all should come to repentance.
I am glad we have the account of the “thief on the cross” who near his final breathe ask to be received into Jesus kingdom. Jesus words were, “this day shall you be with me in paradise.” Talk about a “deathbed” conversion!
Jesus always challenges us to think and have attitudes that reveal the “supernatural” and not the natural thought processes of the human mind.
Those who serve the Lord faithfully can view Jesus actions as “unfair.” But if we share the mind of Christ and His love for all people it will transform our thinking and our attitude. No life is wasted that faithfully follows that Lord. I have know those who came to Christ later in life and their one regret was not having made their decision earlier, because they realize the “wasted” years living for self.
I have also observed those who felt that God’s gracious forgiveness wasn’t fair. “I have ignored the Lord all my life, it doesn’t seem right for me to come running to Him now!” I remember Dick Foth sharing about such an individual. Dick asked the person, “if you had a son who was living in rebellion and separated from you for years, but want to come home, would you be willing to accept him and welcome him home?” The man responded with an emphatic – yes!
The final questions of the master to the grumbling workers in this parable are telling, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Matthew 20:15 ESV)
I am thankful that we all can be grateful for the Lord’s generosity to us and even to those who for years shun Him. We need to reassure others that the “doors of the ark of salvation” remain open.
Prayer for today…. Lord how great is Your love! We see it in this parable that You desire all to respond to Your call. Help us to be those who not only work “for” You, but “with” You in making that message of hope known to others.