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In Matthew 20 we read the parable of the vineyard workers each receiving the same amount of money for whatever period of time each worked in the vineyard on this given day. The same amount, a denarius, was given to each no matter how long each labored in the vineyard. Well, I see a great point of Trinitarian Adoption and Inclusion of God in this parable. Not money!!!
If one were to look at this parable from a monetary standpoint only, then it really makes no sense to anyone that it would be fair to pay a worker, worthy of his hire, the same amount if he worked for one hour or for twelve hours. This is not the real point of the parable. True enough, the land owner can pay whatever amount was agreed upon, but the parable is NOT about "payment".
I think the key verse here is verse 14. "....I want to GIVE the man who was hired last the same as I gave you, the first." The point is about God GIVING. Not what is earned or expected.
I see Jesus as the owner of the vineyard which is the human experience of all of humanity laboring on earth and no matter what is strived for, worked for, or accomplished by human efforts, do NOT affect Jesus, the Vinyard owner, and His GIVING of His right to GIVE Life to everyone simply because He wants to. The vineyard owner said, " I have the right to do with my gifts, ie, heavenly blessings -- Ephesians 1:3-6, as I so choose." And so does Jesus!
In these verses in Ephesians 1:3-6 , we see all of humanity, all the workers in the vineyard of humanity, being given and blessed with everything God has to bless us all with. It can not be worked for or earned. It can only be accepted and believed by all of us and received with gladness and thankfulness.
God bless you all,
Paul
www.newlifewcg.org
Madison, ALabama
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5 comments:
Excellent point! It is amazing how our view of scripture changes when we start to read it through the lens of who Jesus is.
Pastor Paul, your post is so timely! I was reading this very passage of scripture a few days ago, and for the first time in my life, I thought of the same thing that you posted here. The point of the parable is the incredible generosity of God toward all mankind-Awesome!
this isn't related to this post, but I just wanted to say, I really really liked your thoughts that you posted on Baxter's Ongoing Thoughts concerning "The Shack"
Thank you and thank God!
this post is excellent too, BTW!
Amen, Amen, and Amen to this more proper Gospel Interpretation of the One and Only Triune God Who has given Himself to us all in His Son, Jesus!
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