Matthew 20

Bible Passage:  Matthew 20

First off, apologies for this late posting.  Jet lag, long meeting days, late long dinners has taken its toll.  But I cannot complain, and I should not complain.  Instead I should be grateful for the graces that God has given me.  And being thankful over all that I have (whether big or small) is something that I am learning and being reminded a lot recently.

Which brings me to the first point in today’s reading….

How Grateful Are We?

“Or is your eye evil because I am good?” ~ Matthew 20:15

These words were spoken by the landowner to one of the workers.

I am sure you are all familiar with this story of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.  The teachings of Jesus certainly goes against common assumptions doesn’t it?  But when you think deeply about it, it just shows how far short of His righteousness and justice and mercy we are.

“They work less and get paid the same!”

You can almost hear the workers yelling at the landlord.  They felt that since they have toiled under the hot sun far longer than those who were hired towards the end of the day, they should be getting more for their labour.

BUT…. they have forgotten that they have actually agreed on their wages BEFORE they started work.  And they are now receiving exactly what they wanted or accepted in the first place.

If you recall the last portion of yesterday’s chapter, Peter, in response to the conversation between Jesus and the rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-22) asked, “We have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (Matt 19:27).

The first part of the answer Jesus gave ended with “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matt 19:30).

And in His second answer to Peter in this parable also ended with similar words but the order of the wording is now swapped..

“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” ~ Matt 20:16

I can fully understand the grumbling of the workers.  In fact, I am exactly like them! 🙁

When I read Matt 19:29 about how much a reward I will receive from God because I have left many things for Him, I feel a sense of pride and think of my “reward”.

And then I look around and see those who do not seem to work as much as I.  Those who just come for services once a week.  Those who do not share the same passion for works in church.  Those who do not show the same level of care and concern… Those… those… those….

I always seem to be comparing… and judging…. Why should I be doing so much and they so little?

In one way, I am right!  It’s just does not seem fair!

But the twist in this parable shouts at me….

“It’s NOT FAIR that ANYONE receives salvation!”

“It’s NOT FAIR that SINNERS can now go to holy heaven!”

“It’s NOT FAIR that we, who have nothing to do with God, are now saved by a God who came and died for all men!”

We all do not deserve any of the grace that God that has showered upon us.  We do not deserve salvation for whatever we have done, we have not done anything good (Psa 14:3).

This is because we have all sinned infinitely against the holy almighty God.  And our just wages is death.

But like the landowner, Jesus came and freely offers eternal life (Rom 6:23).

He came to offers this grace to the undeserving.  We receive this salvation by grace through faith.  It is NOT a reward of human effort.

Yes!  We serve Him and we do so with great joy (I hope). But we dare not make God our debtor and say, “Since I have done so much, He owes me salvation!”

His love is the reason for our labour…. never the result of our labour.

So when you think about this…. instead of begrudging His generosity and love to others, ought not I to rejoice and be grateful instead that I am called by Him?  Should I not stop looking at others and just remind myself that I am not much more better?

So what is my reaction to the fact that there is no extra “reward” for serving God longer?

What should my attitude be towards God’s generosity and grace towards others?

I am reminded of this old hymn that I first learned many years ago when I went to a seminar in PJ.  I remembered Dn Tsai teaching us the song and I was so overwhelmed … and I thought to myself… this is what I want to feel all the time as I grow old in church…

I want to be able to feel that I am getting “extra reward” for serving God longer!

And this is because…

• I get to experience God’s faithfulness all the more each day!
• In the mist of the additional hard work for His Kingdom each day, I get to experience that His Grace is sufficient for me!
• I will have fewer regrets in life knowing that I have not wasted my life selfishly but have used it selflessly for His kingdom…
• I get to have a deeper fellowship with co-labourers in the work of His kingdom … and this bond and love cannot be there unless the Lord is in our midst…

I could go on and on… but I must get out of bed now and prepare for the new day 🙂

Each day is like heaven my heart overflows…. the longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows….

May this be true for you and I in our life’s journey till He comes again for us!

Since I started for the Kingdom,
Since my life He controls,
Since I gave my heart to Jesus,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.

Chorus:
The longer serve Him, the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.
Ev’ry need He is supplying,
Plenteous grace He bestows;
Ev’ry day my way gets brighter,
The longer I serve Him,
The sweeter He grows.