Larry Devich
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Higher Things for Today
“Take what is yours and go away. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.” (St. Matthew 20:14)
In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The workers who worked all day wanted more. It made sense to them that they'd get more. It would be just foolish to give a worker who slaved all day the same as someone who had worked for just an hour. If you do more work, you should get more pay.
But the Landowner doesn't run His vineyard that way. He pays the ones who work all day the same as the loiterers He grabs off the street and puts to work an hour before quitting time. It's His vineyard. Isn't it lawful for Him to do what He wants with His Vineyard?
Yes, the landowner is that good. His Kingdom isn't about what work you do or how long you have done it. No, it's much better than that! The kingdom of God is what God gives to you in Christ.
The Lord gives the wages. He gives the gifts. He gives the last worker the same as He gives the first worker. He gives you the same as He gives Jesus. That's how He runs His Kingdom and His vineyard.
What a perfect way to start the preparatory season of Pre-Lent! When we put our eyes on what we think we deserve from God for all that we have done for Him, this parable calls us to repent. His kingdom is not about what you do for God! Turn from that thinking! Don't be that worker!
No, you are the worker who has nothing to do for God and is standing around waiting for Him to ask you to do something. And to you, at the eleventh hour, He gives daily wages and more!
He gives you Jesus, who worked all day in the hot sun for you. He worked so hard in the vineyard, that He worked Himself to death. He didn't make it to the eleventh hour that day – He was dead by the ninth hour.
That's the kingdom of God! It's not about work. It's about a Landowner who gives everyone the same – the eternal life earned by the hard work of His Son. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
“O Lord, we implore You favorably to hear the prayers of Your people that we, who are justly punished for our offenses, may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness, for the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” (Collect for Septuagesima)
Today's Reading: St. Matthew 20:1-16
Daily Lectionary: Job 1:1-22; St. John 1:1-18 ¶ 2/04/2007 06:57:00 AM 0 Comments
In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The workers who worked all day wanted more. It made sense to them that they'd get more. It would be just foolish to give a worker who slaved all day the same as someone who had worked for just an hour. If you do more work, you should get more pay.
But the Landowner doesn't run His vineyard that way. He pays the ones who work all day the same as the loiterers He grabs off the street and puts to work an hour before quitting time. It's His vineyard. Isn't it lawful for Him to do what He wants with His Vineyard?
Yes, the landowner is that good. His Kingdom isn't about what work you do or how long you have done it. No, it's much better than that! The kingdom of God is what God gives to you in Christ.
The Lord gives the wages. He gives the gifts. He gives the last worker the same as He gives the first worker. He gives you the same as He gives Jesus. That's how He runs His Kingdom and His vineyard.
What a perfect way to start the preparatory season of Pre-Lent! When we put our eyes on what we think we deserve from God for all that we have done for Him, this parable calls us to repent. His kingdom is not about what you do for God! Turn from that thinking! Don't be that worker!
No, you are the worker who has nothing to do for God and is standing around waiting for Him to ask you to do something. And to you, at the eleventh hour, He gives daily wages and more!
He gives you Jesus, who worked all day in the hot sun for you. He worked so hard in the vineyard, that He worked Himself to death. He didn't make it to the eleventh hour that day – He was dead by the ninth hour.
That's the kingdom of God! It's not about work. It's about a Landowner who gives everyone the same – the eternal life earned by the hard work of His Son. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
“O Lord, we implore You favorably to hear the prayers of Your people that we, who are justly punished for our offenses, may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness, for the glory of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” (Collect for Septuagesima)
Today's Reading: St. Matthew 20:1-16
Daily Lectionary: Job 1:1-22; St. John 1:1-18 ¶ 2/04/2007 06:57:00 AM 0 Comments
