Matthew 19:30-20:16, God’s Just Reward

As usual, the parables of Jesus are not hard to understand in terms of the story.  This one is like that.  A man with a vineyard went out at 6AM and hired workers for his vineyard.  Then he went out as 9AM, Noon, 3PM and even at 5PM and hired others who were available.  At the end of the day he paid each the same amount of money, a denarius, a standard day’s wage.  This caused the ones who worked more to complain (I know we all understand that part).  The landowner noted that he had kept his word with all the workers (v13-14), and that it was his desire to give the full pay to all the workers, regardless of their hours.  He attributed this to his goodness (v15).

Another thing about parables is that, when Jesus interprets the parable that is the end of a search for meaning.  We are not to press all the details of the story; we are rather to find the significant point and apply it.  Jesus does give the meaning, of course, both at the start (19:30) and the end (20:16). 

What does He mean, then, saying many who are first will be last, and the last first?  This is not about social principles or fair labor practices.  We cannot ignore that this is tied to the story of the rich ruler (19:16-22) and the resulting discussion with the disciples (19:23-29).  19:30 is part of that same discussion (i.e. this wasn’t the best place to put a chapter division). 

The questions of the disciples (Peter speaks for them all in 19:27) is typical: what do we get for following You?  But what is the concern of Jesus’ parable?  It refers to people who don’t appear, by human standards, to have the same claim on the goodness of God as others.  Some think Jesus is referring to the religious outcasts (tax collectors, etc.) compared to His disciples.  Others consider it to refer to Gentiles who come to Christ after the Jews.  Again, with parables, it is better not to press the question that Jesus’ does not answer. 

What the parable does is present, with the first and last, an evenness, if you will.  All who are called are also laborers.  Reward is not based on difficulty of service but on faithfulness (v13) as well as on God’s goodness (v14) and God’s sovereign ability to do what I wish with my own things (v15).  If the first (who serve 12 hours) are last and the last (who serve 1 hour) are first then all have received the same reward.

You may ask, “how can this be fair?”  If by “fair” you mean “just” or “righteous” then we will answer the question.  It is fair because …

·        No one deserves eternal life.  Remember the ruler’s question, “what good thing shall I do.”  Remember Jesus’ answer: with man it is impossible to be saved!

·        Remember: man’s values are not God’s values.  What man values will leave him in his lostness; what God values will save the man (Mt. 16:23). 

·        Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.  We are followers of Christ, not “common sense.”  We are called to follow Christ, period! (Mt. 16:24-25)

·        The exchange of the world for the soul is always a good exchange (Mt. 16:26-27).