Saturday, February 16, 2008

Matthew, chapter 20

8 "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I have you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
That's what I call fairness and justice! Not. I might understand though the point that Jesus is trying to make but then it was a rather bad analogy because those that have worked more should also have gotten more.
23 He said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father."
Another indication that Jesus clearly didn't think he was identical to the Father. Take that again, Trinity.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Another jab at the Gentiles.
30 And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32 And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
If he was so compassionate then why did he have to ask and why didn't he simply just heal everyone?

3 comments:

wayfarerjon said...

It's comforting to know that my heavenly rewards don't depend upon how long or hard I have worked, that could leave me short-changed? I think it's a question of WHO we know?

Daldianus said...

fireball: yeah, some of his statements make him look like an early communist (in the good sense)

wayfare: I understand what point Jesus is trying to make but the analogy to getting paid for work is a bad one in my opinion.

LA Nickers said...

The working hours parable probably reflects God's grace. If we all got what we deserved, we'd be in dire straits. However, those who call on His name (even at the last minute) may receive His grace, just as those who call earlier may. What mercy.

Certainly rewards may vary, according to service. But mercy and grace are free, if we choose to accept! What a miracle.