The Parables of Jesus #06: an exposition of Matthew 20:1-16. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 10, 2015.
Intro:
It is a very common complaint. It is heard daily around the world. It is heard on playgrounds, in courtrooms, boardrooms and family rooms. It is uttered by frustrated children, angry employees and champions of social justice. It is the cry of, “That’s not fair.” This is the cry of those who feel slighted, overlooked and left out. It is the natural response we feel when someone “gets away with” something. It’s most tragic use is when it is uttered in connection with the Kingdom of God. Too often it is heard within the church because “someone got what I got and they didn’t deserve it!” Such an attitude reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of the Kingdom of God.
An attitude of self-interest is entirely inappropriate within God’s Kingdom. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is built entirely of grace. One day Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem when a young man approached them. He was an intelligent, hard-working and righteous man. He came, and bowing before the Lord Jesus, asked, “Rabbi, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Now he came to the right person, in the right manner, asking the right question but was totally unaware of the nature of the Kingdom and of the nature of his own heart. Jesus, because he loved him, spoke to his real need. “Go, sell everything you own. Give it away, then come and follow me.” He went away sad because he was very wealthy. Then with a note of great sadness, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of heaven.” He went on to say, “In fact it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” The disciples were shocked by his comments. Wasn’t wealth a sign of God’s blessing? If rich people can’t go to heaven who can? Again Jesus said, “With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” Then “old foot-in-mouth” spoke up. Peter chimed in, “Lord, we’ve left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” That serves as the backdrop for our text this morning found in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 20 beginning at verse 1.
Text: Matthew 20:1-16
It is always important to set a text in its context.
To understand the parable recorded in chapter 20 you must see it connected to chapter 19.
Look at 19:27-30 – Then Peter said in reply, See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? 28 Jesus said to them, Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Peter’s attitude of one of “What’s in it for me?”
The Rich Young Ruler walked away – we gave up everything – our reward must be great!
A parable is an “earthly story” with a “heavenly significance.”
It is the use of something common or ordinary to explain something that is not so common or ordinary. I’m convinced that this parable is a warning against an attitude of self-interest. This is a strong antidote to a “what’s in it for me” attitude.
Thesis: The grace of God permeates every aspect of life within the Kingdom of God.
This is a familiar parable.
Familiar and troubling.
Not troubling because it is difficult to understand or to interpret.
It is really self-explanatory.
The problem is that some have felt it necessary to justify what it teaches.
Even a casual reading of the text can leave you saying, “That’s not fair.”
Some worked 12 hours others just 1 hour and they all got paid the same?
Where was the union?
Let me quickly call your attention to three principles about the Kingdom of God drawn from this parable.
- God’s grace calls us to life in the Kingdom.
- God’s grace sovereignly rewards those who are in the Kingdom.
- God’s grace motivates us in our service to the Kingdom of God.