Mat 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
The parables of Jesus are found in the Gospels. Each have relevance in particular ways to display the King and Kingdom. All scripture is God-breathed. All is of great importance, especially that of the parables. Jesus spoke in terms so that His disciples would discern truth. In some cases, they were hidden from the pharisees.
Matthew chapter 20 speaks of a householder who hired workers in the early hours of the day. However, since the work of the vineyard was not completed, he hired more workers throughout the day, some even at the eleventh hour. Each received the same pay regardless of time spent in the vineyard.
We know that Jesus is referring to the last days of time and the same reward He shall give to everyone who is saved. The question is “why did Jesus speak this parable?” Scholars have poured over this inquiry for centuries without a firm conclusion. The scholar’s commentaries review the householder; the vineyard, and the time spent. What they miss is the nature of people. Many use tenure as a token which they believe should elevate their status in the Kingdom.
Jesus spoke this parable to expose the heart of the believer. Peter faced this dilemma when Jesus told him what manner of death he must die. Peter was distraught and then pointed to John and asked, “Will John die also? Why does John get to live and I have to die?” Jesus replied, “What is it to you if John should tarry till I come?”
In the Kingdom, fairness is viewed as carnality. Jesus is concerned with the vineyard, the lost, and those who are spiritually blind; bound by sin. We are His laborers in a field and our tenure does not bring about a greater status. In fact, Jesus considers the saved to be saved. He welcomes everyone into the field to work, to be filled with His Spirit, and to live a life holy and acceptable unto Him. Our duty is to serve and keep serving. Some will suffer, while others will enjoy easier days, but all are commissioned to work in the field.
I write in hopes that we will welcome every new laborer to “The Field.” The Field consists of no less than 106,000 people in our area. These are souls which shall spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Our focus must be reaching people, not on tenure or hierarchy. Jesus spoke this parable because He knew that at the end of time, the nature of church might clash with His divine call. He purposely spoke to us who stand at the end of the Church age. We are commanded to reach, teach, and then welcome whoever may come. The field of souls is greater than our ability alone so I welcome everyone who wants to join this effort of planting and harvesting the lost souls of the field.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole