Gospel – Matthew 20 – 22

“The first shall be the last and the last shall be the first!”

As we race from the lift landing to our front door, this is a phrase that is often heard spoken by the loser – the last to reach the door.

When my kids were younger, this was a game that we often played. And it was during these playful occassions that we often misuse the Bible for our advantage.

What am I talking about?

Bible Passage: Matthew 20-22

I was reminded of the above incidents when my daughter and I were reading Matthew 20:1-16 a couple of nights ago. We no longer play that game nowadays – I am getting advanced in age and they think such games are for kiddies.

“See, this is where the Bible verse about the first shall be last and the last shall be first is recorded,” I told my daughter. “So what do you think? Was Jesus fair?”

What do you think she said?

What about you? What will you say?

Of course we all know the biblically correct answer. But the real question is really do we believe in it?

In everyday life, this will seem most absurd. Illogical. Uncomprehendible. CraAzy. Nonsense… the list just goes on.

But how do we really understand this?

I did a bad job trying to explain this and am now trying to make amends here.

Anyone who feels that they are not being paid what they are worth can certainly appreciate the reaction of the workers here.

“I have worked more hours than him and have sweated buckets and yet he is getting paid the same amount as me?”

What is going on here?

Perhaps this can help us put things in perspective.

None of the workers were hired before the landowner hired them (20:3, 6, 7). The fact they had work was totally out of the goodwill of the landowner. They did not do anything to get the job. They brought nothing to the situation.

Next, the landowner had promised the first batch that they would receive a denarius for their work. This was a fair wage as it was a day’s wage. For the rest, the landowner promised to give them whatever was right.

In the end, he gave everyone one denarius.

The big lesson here is GRACE in the kingdom of God!

Before this chapter, the disciples were arguing and asking about the rewards and benefits in God’s kingdom.

So Jesus spoke this parable to remind them that grace is given because of the nature of the Giver, and not because of the worthiness of the receiver.

We were all nothing, condemned and deserving to die. But Jesus came and took us in.

Totally out of grace. We have no right to question Him on what He does because we are undeserving. Who makes us better than the next?

One More Thing … A Song to Sing Today

I cannot help it but when I read Matthew 20:25-28 when Jesus again turned convention in its head and said …..

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Yes… Jesus.  Our King!  Our Servant King!