Matthew 19:16-30; 20:1-16
“God’s Employees”
Mr. Raisin Grapes of Fresno had a huge vineyard. One early morning, the media warned the people about a hurricane expected to arrive in two days. The first thing Mr. Grapes did, was going downtown and hiring workers to help him reap the grapes. He found a few and he promised them $40/day. Later during the day, the news reported that the hurricane would arrive much sooner. So Mr. Grapes rushed downtown and hired more workers at 3 and 4 pm. When the day was over, he handed each of the workers some cash. The envelopes contained the same sum of money: $40 plus $5 bonus. Well, the workers who labored all day were very angry. They didn’t think this was fair. Mr. Grapes’ response was: “Didn’t I pay you even more than what I promised to? Did I deprive you of your rights?”
Jesus told this beautiful parable right after his meeting with the rich young man. The question during that meeting was? “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” The young man had answers to all Jesus asked him. However, he was too attached to his material possessions. In “Fiddler on the Roof”, the hero dreams about becoming a rich man. His wife reminds him: “Money is a curse.” Do you remember what the response was? “Curse me, God, curse me.”
The young man couldn’t handle Jesus’ commandment: “Sell your possessions and give them to the poor.” (vs 21) He was not ready to do that.
The disciples were astonished at Jesus’ attitude toward the rich. Peter was shocked. The general understanding at the time was that the rich were God’s blessed people-the first class people. If the rich do not enter the Kingdom of God, who would?
In order to clarify his point, Jesus tells the parable of the Vineyard Workers which will be taken in the English sermon.