“For many are called but few are chosen.’” Matthew 20: 16
Dear God,
Please lead me as I reflect upon this parable, about the kingdom of heaven being like a landowner who went off early in the morning to hire people to work in his vineyard. He hired some men and they agreed on the price of a denarius for the day’s work. The landowner went about the third, six and ninth hours and again hired more workers that were standing idle there. The landowner said to them, “…..’You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.” Verses 4 – 7, Matthew 20: 8 “So when evening had come the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘call the labourers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.” Those who had been hired at the early hour now were unhappy, thinking they should be paid more wages than those who had only worked the lesser hours down to only one hour. They had of course previously happily agreed with the offered wage of one denarius, which is what the landowner reminded them.
Jesus is the true Landowner of earth, and it is the people of the kingdom of heaven, who will one day receive their wages, in the kingdom of glory. Now as I think about this teaching, I can understand, that no matter when we accepted Jesus, whether it is upon the death bed, or just before probation closes or there was opportunity to live a long life thereafter committed to You our God; the reward is the same for each child of God; they will be called by our Redeemer Jesus, to rise and meet Him in the air.s
To my mind even though Jesus brings with Him, the reward of eternal life and being taken to heaven for the righteous; there is also a blessing on earth for Gods faithful children when because of their obedience, know all in their life is as God wills. Also whether for one minute, or for much of a life time, there is inherent pleasure in pleasing God, when multiplied over years, which has a settling effect upon the mind. With spiritual growth, there is a real sense of resting in the sovereign will of God which brings acceptance of life events and peace. These are gifts from God and so precious, rather than following my own petulant, selfish will and ways.
Dear Jesus I ask for You to take my mind, and my mouth and will and guide me according to Your mind and will, through the Holy Spirit.
Amen