Discovery Journal

Crystal W. - May 3, 2011

Scripture:

Matthew 20:8-14 "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.

Observation:

A land owner hired workers to work his vineyard. He hired multiple workers at different hours so some worked many and some worked fewer hours. When the time came for payment at the end of the day, they all received the same pay. Those that worked many hours were paid the same as those that worked only a few or a couple. The workers that worked many hours grumbled and were upset that the workers that only worked a few hours were made equal to them, as they worked the entire day in the heat. The owner of the vineyard reminded them that he has the right to do with his money as he pleased and that the "last shall be first and the first shall be last."

Application:

I think of this parable and compare it to the "right to go to heaven" thoughts. I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and will have eternal life with Him. I serve Him in my daily walk. I strive to be better each day and draw closer to Him more than I did the day before and yet the man who turned his back his entire life and then on his death bed accepted Jesus as his Savior will also be in heaven praising Him. Yes, Yes, Yes...that is absolutely correct! Jesus accepts us all and gives us the same salvation as the workers received the same pay as one another. I am so thankful God has that much grace and mercy on us. The last shall be first and the first shall be last.

Prayer:

Lord, You are so perfect in all Your ways and teachings. You bring to life the Word that has been written and the truth that radiates from it. I have read and received a revelation today. I have been blessed by Your ways. Continue to work in my heart, Lord, so that I will be the same as You. That I would treat those that I feel are undeserving as though they deserve much more than I. That I would not hold my earnings above another, and that I would not treat any of Your children poorly. I pray all of this in Your Mighty Name...Amen.