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Matthew 20:1-16; Mark 10:32-34; Matthew 20:17-19; Luke 18:31-34; Mark 10:35-45; Matthew 20:20-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-19:27<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> Matthew chapter 20\u2019s parable of the vineyard workers is one that I have at times had challenges with.\u00a0 I, like the workers who labored all day, would think \u2013 \u201cthat\u2019s not fair!\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Well\u2026. but then I came to realize that I believe this story is a parable of Grace<\/strong>.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 And you know what \u2013 God\u2019s grace is not \u201cfair.\u201d\u00a0 And thank God for this being so!\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is so powerful and all-encompassing and life-giving and healing and saving.\u00a0 And God\u2019s grace is offered to me.\u00a0 And to you.\u00a0 And to our neighbors.\u00a0 And to everyone.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is offered to people that have sinned against God.\u00a0 Me.\u00a0 You.\u00a0 Our Neighbors.\u00a0 Everyone.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is offered to people who become Christians early in their lives and live wonderfully giving lives.\u00a0 And God\u2019s grace is offered to people who become Christians on their deathbed after living destructive lives, but who finally repent and surrender to God.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace is given freely.\u00a0 Like these workers in this story, we may accept God\u2019s grace at different points in the \u201cday\u201d of our life.\u00a0 Though, of course, some never do ultimately accept God\u2019s grace and there is grave risk as the day grows longer\u2026\u00a0 How about you?\u00a0 What part of the \u201cday\u201d are you in?\u00a0 Have you accepted God\u2019s gift of grace?\u00a0 Will you do so today?\u00a0 While it is still \u201ctoday\u201d for you?\u00a0 Below is an oil painting by Rembrandt from 1637 of \u201cThe Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 teaching in Matthew 20 verse 16 has always been convicting to me: \u201cAnd so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then.\u201d<\/em> I see the wisdom in this verse\u2026 but yet, I still think that I try to be \u201cfirst\u201d in many ways in my life.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like being \u201clast\u201d.\u00a0 I like being honored.\u00a0 I like being the star.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like being the servant.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like to be the guy supporting the star.\u00a0 And yet, Jesus is calling us to be last.\u00a0 To serve others.\u00a0 To let others go first.\u00a0 How about you?\u00a0 Are you trying to be \u201cfirst\u201d in your life?\u00a0 Or do you see the eternal wisdom in being \u201clast\u201d?\u00a0 Continuing this thought of serving others \u2013 below is a painting from 1856 by British painter Ford Maddox Brown of \u201cChrist Washing St. Peter\u2019s Feet\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n As this chapter proceeds we read about Jesus prophesying his own death and resurrection.\u00a0 And then, we see Jesus prophesy about the end of James & John\u2019s life when their mother and they ask to sit at Jesus\u2019 right & left in heaven.\u00a0 Check out verses 22 & 23: \u201c\u201dYou don\u2019t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?\u201d \u201cOh yes,\u201d they replied, \u201cwe are able!\u201d \u201cYou will indeed drink from it,\u201d he told them.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 You will indeed drink from it\u2026\u00a0 James ended his life being martyred for his faith in Jesus.\u00a0 And John ended his life in exile on the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.\u00a0 And I wonder again about us today\u2026\u00a0 sometimes we hear about the \u201chealth, wealth and prosperity gospel\u201d, and think that\u2019s what we\u2019ve signed up for as Christians.\u00a0 But\u2026 do you think that it might be possible that at some point in your life that you might be called to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow that Jesus drank from?\u00a0 If you are called to drink from that bitter cup, will you indeed drink from it?\u00a0 Below is a painting by Flemish artist Pieter van Mol from the early 17th century of \u201cJesus with the cup\u201d: <\/span><\/p>\n The last 10 words of verse 28 remind me of the Passover Lamb \/ Jesus parallels discussed above in this post: \u201cFor even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for many.\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus came to give his life as a ransom for you?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Matthew chapter 20 titled \u201cWorkers in the Vineyard\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Tenth Avenue North\u2019s great song, \u201cLove Is Here:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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