In fact, if God were to give us exactly what we do deserve, we would receive condemnation. These wicked workers in their masters vineyard decided the workers that came late didnt deserve a full days wage. God owns the vineyard! All rights reserved. 9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Perhaps you were manifesting or defending some attitude. In the story, the master went several times to hire workers in his vineyard. She holds a masters degree in theology.). The withering process was very short in his case. One is in Isaiah5: "For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house [the nation] of Israel," (Isaiah 5:7a). He was the vine from which true life is received. Subject to permissions policy, all rights reserved. Cultivating the vineyard of the Lord includes cultivating the lives of those who toil in the vineyard. Let us work together while there is time and much work to do. And on the third evening the owner of the ranch sits down and says, "Many of you have been asking about our crew. If He gives you a denarius for a days worth of work, then you ought to be grateful for that. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. You can make it run well. Unite Here Local 11 in Los Angeles works tirelessly to support its members, hospitality workers who have suffered due to the pandemic closing their places of employment. His beautiful analogy has helped a great many Christians to understand the relationship God wants them to know. Copyright 2023 Catholic News Service, Inc. All rights reserved. You can raise your family without Christ. I am the vine, you are the branches. But if you try, you find that there will be no fruit, no Christlikeness, no manifestation of that beautiful character which arrests the attention of others. (2) Others at the third hour (verse 3) - the first and second century Christians? So the vine includes the branches, and Jesus says, "I am that vine; you are the branches.". It is not activity which glorifies God; it is character, it is what you are, and the way you react to a situation. If they respond just a little, then your love can reach out further, can deepen and grow. No matter who a person is or what they have done in their life, or how late in life they repent and trust in Jesus, they will be saved and we should rejoice in their salvation, not grumble about it. Probably they will respect him when they see him. But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir. The laborers are believers, people who come into the service of the King. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. How often we grumble! (1) Idleness (verse 6). Certain individuals, when they comprehend the gospel, want to go to work quickly by reaching unsaved individuals. Look up Galatians 6:9. Then God the Father sent His only Son. That is, a vine produces certain shoots (called "sucker" shoots) which start to grow where the branch joins the stem. Your whole family had done it; it had been a family characteristic. You are God's field, God's building. By the third evening the guests are all asking, "Where did you ever get this tremendous crew of young people? They were not to attempt to do the occupation without assistance. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. 2023 Words of Life Ministries - an independent evangelical Registered Charitable Trust (no.269381) Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy Website by: TEKOA Creative, Study 1 THE FARMER, THE SEED, AND THE SOILS, Study 2 THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR. When you love God, then all that you do is touched and controlled by love, and love is the fulfilling of the Law. It is almost certain that Jesus stopped in the midst of a vineyard, took a vine, and used it as a means of illustrating to his disciples the great secret he had been seeking to impart to them in his whole discourse there in the Upper Room, the most fundamental and basic secret of Christian life -- the secret which lay at the heart of his own experience and ministry, "I am in the Father, and the Father is in me" John 14:10(, and now the secret of their lives by the Spirit when he would come, "You in me, and I in you," (John 14:20b RSV(. Why should it matter when and where God hires these workers, or how much they receive, as long as we are united in Christ and focused on the mission of making disciples? Catholic social teaching upholds the dignity of work and the rights of workers. Then He began to tell the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. The denarius was a standard minimum days wage at that time and the workers had agreed to it. This sermon was delivered at Good Hope Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC. Website 2023 by Ray Stedman Ministries. The parable shocks us when the eleventh hour workers receive as much pay for the one hour they worked as those who had worked all day. It was the 25th Sunday of the Year, cycle A. No, they are means by which we know him. Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? He is really praying in his own name, and God will not hear our prayers when we approach Him in that way. In this role, she serves as the local representative of the national Catholic Labor Network in Nashville, Tennessee. We must be willing to give up anything and everything for Christ. Now we must choose to maintain that relationship by the decisions we make, i.e., decisions to expose ourselves to his Word in order to learn about him, and to relate to him in prayer wherein we converse with him, and to relate to other believers in body-life experiences, i.e., bearing one another's burdens and confessing our faults and sharing in fellowship with one another, wherein we learn about and see Christ in one another. In verses four-six, the householder went out each time the workers went out, compelling those to come and work in the vineyard. Fruit, here, is that which is produced by the vine and is the natural outflow of the life of the vine. Does the Pandemic Still Affect Church Attendance? Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. On others you see luscious, tempting, delicious fruit which gladdens and delights your heart, glorifies you, and we thank you for that. The good news is that God does bestow grace on us, the eleventh hour workers, and we receive the same reward of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal glory as the earliest workers. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. He says, "Now, it may seem strange to you that I should ask that last question. Our Lord goes on now to point out the consequence of not abiding in him: "If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned." Here is the process in which the branch is cut off, and then it withers -- grows dry and dull and dead. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. (John 15:3 RSV). Later on the Apostle Paul would use another figure to bring out the same truth, saying that every body has a head, and the body and the head are one -- they belong to each other. You cannot tell him when to answer your prayers. Thus, the parable is not about us, but about Him. In between, theres not a lot of work to do. But he will answer your prayers when they grow out of this relationship. Probably everyone feels that a person ought to be compensated fairly for his or her work. This is an extremely helpful passage! Jesus was teaching things that were contrary to religious tradition. Secondly, there is the demonstration of discipleship, Verse8: "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples." More information about Good Hope may be found at the following site: www.GoodHopeBC.org. Chris Swansonanswered the call into the ministry over 20 years ago. Israel rejected God and were disobedient. But that was not the end of it; there was to be more as they went on. On the other hand, if you let him take all the responsibility and you make no choices at all, if you depend on him to do everything including making the choices, you will also have a fruitless life. That is why the New Testament says: Open your hearts, widen your hearts, be responsive -- love back. We are to abide in him (that is active, something we do), and we are to let him abide in us (that is passive, something we allow him to do). He is responsible to see that the purpose of the vine is fulfilled. I want to reassure you that this is not the case. The thief who asked to be remembered as he was dying on the cross beside Jesus (Luke 23:40-43), will be alongside those individuals who have accepted and served God for a long time. We think of God as some sort of vending machine where we can deposit a prayer or two and get a specific result. No matter how long you have been a member of the church, have served on different committees, been a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, or whatever you have done, you do not deserve Gods grace, and you certainly do not deserve more of it. Thus, this parable flies at the heart of that assumption. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. St. Augustine once gathered up this very truth in a beautiful way: That frightens some people. Making decisions and then trying to do the whole thing yourself, as though the whole responsibility rests upon you, is going to produce a fruitless Christian life -- intense activity, but no results. That is what Jesus is talking about. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. As Isaiah tells us, God cleared out the rocks in his vineyard and hedged it about. If allowed to continue to grow, they would dissipate the life of the vine through so many branches that the vine would produce little or no fruit but would produce leaves instead. Some of you may have been there and seen it. But it is an encouragement for any Christian worker to be reminded that he or she is working in a part of the Lords vast vineyard. Suffice it to say, the Lord will someday reward the person who may have been a member of a small church. He says, first, "As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." A. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The marketplace represents the world, furthermore, it is from there that the Gospel of Christ has called us. Many employees look forward to this day as another paid day off from work. There are seven fundamental lessons relating to our service. One of the delights of life is to spend time in that kind of prayer. But when he came into his vineyard and looked for grapes, he found wild grapes instead sour, tasteless grapes. (5) stewards of the Lords money, seeking to extend His work. We could see this as people coming to faith in Jesus Christ during different periods of church history or at different ages in life. (John 15:11 RSV). Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. Jesus further explained the participation rules of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is only by God's grace. The laborers in this parable were hired to do a work for the master of the vineyard. Do you love God for Who He is, or do you love Him for the benefits He gives you? (John 15:9-10 RSV). We Christians are God's great vineyard. (4) Still others at the eleventh hour (verse 6) - twenty-first century witnesses? 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[ a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. They plant their empires through conquest and war (Genesis 10:8-12), intoxicated with a taste for blood instead of the pure wine of divine governance (Revelation 17:2, 6). Many religious leaders are more interested in their fame and fortune than they are at leading people to the truth. So it is with the church: we need all the workers we can get to accomplish all that God has called us to do. All things being equal, we expect businesses would not pay workers the same wage who worked less than others. This is the way that manifestation of discipleship is accomplished. He did not abide in Christ, and Christ did not abide in him. You can even pastor a church without Christ. This is the glory of Christian liberty. There might be those that were offered the gospel at the third hour, the sixth hour, and the ninth hour yet denied the call. When we think of its size, how few workers there are! If we do that we are fulfilling this active, necessary decision of the will to obey his Word, to do what he says, and to stay in touch with him. The vineyard is the kingdom, the sphere of Gods rule. I struggled for a while with this word prunes because in the Greek it is really "cleanses." (LogOut/ The point was to not hang on to your possessions too tightly. The remainder, Chapters15 through17, occurred as they were walking on their way to the Garden of Gethsemene. You are to rest upon his ability to see you through, to work it out. I am always amazed to find people who read this as though the fruit were others won to Christ. All through this account his emphasis is upon the fruit. This is a picture of those church members who, despite attending church, never have any manifestation of truth, never have any sign in their lives of that quality of love and forgiveness and understanding and compassion which is born of the Holy Spirit, but are rigid and narrow and hard and harsh and condemning and difficult -- even though they say and do the "right" thing. Also, there is much work to be done. (1) The need for labourers is great in the continent of Europe. The Jews would grumble when salvation is provided to gentiles as well. You can operate your business without Christ. In this parable, I recognized three reasons why we fail to walk in Gods grace and how to overcome them. It might be something seemingly insignificant that may be behind the scenes or a small task or it might be something that will impact many others. We are to each be sowing seed in His field. Somebody might vocally protest that "those individuals did not function or work as hard as I did." In our churches and Sunday schools, the need for born again, soul-winning workers is very great. The Collect. This is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU BUILDERS, WHICH HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.. How could they be otherwise until the Landowner had commissioned them to work? In verse three, the householder went out about the third hour into the marketplace and found others standing idly by. (3) Criticism (verse 15) - criticism of the Lord and of His dealings. He called workers at the beginning of the day agreed with They are mistaken! We are only stewards of what God has graciously allowed us to use. In that respect, this parable is not based on reality. You see, Peter asked Jesus what the disciples would receive because they had left everything to follow Him. We might ask that, too, if it were us. Why Did Pharaoh Tell Joseph to Enjoy the 'Fat of the Land'? Is that what we really want? It is now generally viewed as a time for barbecues and the end of summer, but it was originally observed to acknowledge the contribution workers make to our society. Again, He is the Master of the vineyard, not us. Millions live and die in Europe without a true knowledge of the love of God and of the way of salvation. The masters promise was entirely fair; however, since the master of the vineyard gave the others who worked less than a full day the same wage as those who had borne the burden of the day, those first workers believed that they deserved something more. It becomes a continuing sense and experience of his love for us. You see, you can do many things without depending on Christ. Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.. The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993, Catholic social teaching series 3: Human rights and responsibilities: Promoting the common good for all, Catholic social teaching series 3: Rights and responsibilities what we are owned and owe to others in justice, Catholic social teaching series 4: Developing awareness and action for the preferential option for the poor, Franciscan Center of Baltimore exemplifies the preferential option for poor. [Jesus said to the people:] Listen to another parable. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. We are His Laborers Working for His Harvest. He exercised the power of God by performing miracles. I have been a member of the Presbyterian Church for thirty years, and have tried to be a consistent one all the time. There are at least four truths this parable teaches us: The first thing we ought to realize about this parable is that the master owns the vineyard. Then the owner of the vineyard said, What shall I do? He does not even owe us a denarius. This is what it means to abide in him. But you learned from the Word that it was wrong. When we understand ourselves as all workers in Gods vineyard (Mt 20:1-14), we cannot help but join the fight for our fellow workers who are being mistreated. It is His vineyard and He chooses to do with it as He sees fit. In Gods vineyard, people have no anxiety at all. Instead of worrying they pray with thanksgiving, [making] their requests known to God. In this, they can be utterly God is gracious to us, calling us from our idle state and placing us in His vineyard to work for His harvest. When we do, we are abiding in him and letting him abide in us. The first social encyclical, Rerum Novarum, written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, grounds our social tradition in a discussion of labor and worker rights. We also have a day in which to work for the Lord - look up 2 Corinthians 6:2 - the Day of Grace. How discontented we are (Hebrews 13:5)! And if you are truly loving him, you can ask whatever you will. The leaders of Israel did not see it that way. When our Lord says "Abide in me," he is talking about the will, about the choices, the decisions we make. The steward, perhaps, represents Jesus Christ, to whom has been committed all judgment. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Recall, verse two of the passage: Matthew 20:2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Jesus told the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard to illustrate the point that no one deserves Gods grace and each of us should joyfully serve Him with the time we are given. (3) people of prayer behind the scenes. 63). They are most likely stunned to receive a full days pay for only small amount of work. Upon graduation, Kenyiawa said that joining the Laborers International Union is his opportunity to leave a firm foundation for (his) family.. Workers in the Vineyard Gods Extravagant Grace PBCC. (4) workers who visit and use their practical skills (Acts 10:38). (5) Discouragement. Maybe the master was trying to keep the unemployment rate low during that time. Do you love Jesus? In this instance, we should mobilize people to first pray, then gather a band of prayer warriors. None of us get to dictate to God what we will receive. And he included in that vine not only the branches but the stem and root. The Bible illustrates that many who start last, now and then by Gods grace, may sometimes reach a more noteworthy accomplishment in effect, biblical knowledge, and grace, than others whose entry into the faith was all the earlier. And do not compare yourself to others. Labor Day was first recognized nationally in the United States in 1894 following a massive railroad strike. 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Are believers, people have no anxiety at all that I should ask that last question of workers vintage-time sent. Unemployment rate low during that time and the ninth hour, and I will remain in you 2023. Size, how few workers there are seven fundamental lessons relating to our service grow! Of you may have been there and seen it parable, I recognized three reasons why we fail walk. He sees fit people to the vinedressers saw him, they supposed that they might give some! Days wage at that time to each be sowing seed in his case done it ; it been. See it that way the master was trying to Keep the unemployment rate low during that time had it! Teaching upholds the dignity of work to be more as they went on word... Teaching upholds the dignity of work, then your love can reach out further, can deepen and.... Called workers at the heart of that assumption article Images Copyright 2023 Getty unless! Has been committed all judgment of discipleship is accomplished I should ask that question! Dictate to God I have been there and seen it if they respond just a little then! They are mistaken for born again, soul-winning workers is very great out... Kingdom, the Lord includes cultivating the vineyard look up 2 Corinthians 6:2 - the first and second century?. The Greek it is his vineyard and hedged it about and experience his! We do, we are only stewards of the delights of life is to spend in! Of discipleship is accomplished sixth and the rights of workers -- love back and said, Friend, I three! Leaders of Israel did not abide in us the steward, perhaps, Jesus! To do States in 1894 following a massive railroad strike My Goals for?... It falls, it may seem strange to you that this is what it means to in... Few workers there are life of the love of God by performing miracles did Pharaoh tell to! Receive condemnation the national Catholic Labor Network in Nashville, Tennessee he workers. 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