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The parable of the vineyard workers is one of those that hits me between the eyes every time I read it. Working in hire education you sometimes see inequalities, such as a person in department A gets paid more for what appears to be less work and knowledge than person in department B (ME). Yet as the vineyard owner told the first hired workers did you not agree to this wage? So I'm again reminded...
I can't imagine the reaction of the other disciples as the mother of James and John ask that her sons sit at the left and right hand of Jesus. Scripture says they were indignant, but Jesus quickly points out that key in His kingdom is to be the servant of all. Even Jesus points out that He came to serve. My Pastor is doing a series called Soul Shift and the focus is being holy as Jesus was holy. Jesus' attitude toward being a servant to all is a great example.
I great example indeed!
ReplyDeleteAnd that parable hits hard for sure. It really doesn't seem "fair" to us . . . yes Jesus's point is, of course, right on. And reminds us that we're to do what WE're called to do--and really shouldn't worry about the particulars of others' callings.
Matthew 20
ReplyDelete16 “In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Yesterday we read, Matthew 19:30, “However, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
What about a deathbed conversion? The one who accepted Christ at four, 16, 20, 70? We have all received Christ. His Blood covers us all. No time limit.
25-28 Jesus called the apostles and said, “You know that the rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be most important among you will be your slave. It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”
Luke 17:7-10 While on a missions trip to Grenada, West Indies, the Holy Spirit gave me this part of Scripture. How we are to do what is expected of us and not expect to be waited on. Servanthood is such a joy when given from the heart, not expecting a return. I saw this not only applied to those we came to serve; our team and the mission base willingly were serving each other.
"Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Won't he rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Matthew 20:32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
I have always loved this when I read Jesus asking this question. Are we aware He is the One who has answered and freed us if we haven't been specific? It is for our own acknowledgement and awareness, not His.
All excellent observations. It is so difficult for us in this society to get past that attitude that serving others is somehow beneath us because of the class system we have set up. We sometimes look down on India for having their caste system, but we have very similar structures of social hierarchy within our own country. And, often when we do serve, we tend to want something in return. But, the most fulfilling way to serve is to serve someone without expectations of anything in return.
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