The Original Crew

The Original Crew

Matthew 20:1-2, NKJV

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Setting the Scene

There are two vineyard parables in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the parable of the unworthy tenants, which Jesus told to the religious leaders in Jerusalem during his final week, but only Matthew includes this parable of the payment to the workers.

The setting and details would have been immediately familiar to Jesus’ listeners. In a typical Middle Eastern agricultural village surrounded by fields, orchards, and vineyards, the laborers would gather in the marketplace or at the gate where landowners would come to hire those needed for the day. This landowner arrived at the break of day and found the early risers—those motivated or driven to work. They agreed with the landowner on a standard one-day contract for work.

The potential laborers were looking for work, but it was the landowner who found them. Their diligence in showing up at the “employment office” didn’t guarantee them a job. It put them in the right place, but without the landowner and his offer, their efforts would have been in vain. If the landowner is the Lord of the Kingdom of Heaven and the hired men are those who are saved, then this first group of workers could be called the early believers. These are the “lifers” who meet God shortly after they realize their need for him and live out their time on earth in God’s service.

Getting Personal

How long have you been a believer? Were you brought in “early” or “later”?

How has your appreciation of the gift of eternal life changed over time as you’ve served the Lord?

It’s easy to focus on the privilege of being first rather than taking seriously the responsibility that comes with that privilege. One of the spiritual challenges for “lifers” is what might be called “pride of longevity.” However, this parable makes it clear that length of service has nothing to do with the value of the gift.

Talking to God

Spend some time today valuing the gift of eternal life by praising God for his great love, for his sacrifice, for his perfect plan. Thank him for bringing you into his vineyard, where the landowner provides what his workers can never earn.