Parable of the Vineyard
This parable is not about money or fairness though it might seem like that on the surface. First we have to know that the Vineyard in the days this was written was a metaphor for the Community in Christ. AND we have to know that the kingdom of God does not look like our earthly kingdoms. God gives us more than we could ever work to earn. There is no earning our way into God’s Kingdom.
The context of this parable is important. In fact, right before this is told, Jesus is saying we should make ourselves like little children because the Kingdom will belong to them. In fact, when the landowner finds more workers, the Greek word says he ‘notices’ them. He brings them out of the marketplace, the metaphor for the world and into his own Vineyard.
So if some Christians were there at the crucifixion and Pentecost, the thing that Matthew’s gospel message does is broaden the scope of who might be Christian. If you are on the last hour before Christ comes again and you are now a follower, then you are still in God’s kingdom.
When we ourselves apply this, it brings us to see ourselves and other believers with new eyes. My brothers and sisters in Christ are all one as the Body of Christ. In fact, think of The Lord’s Prayer that we say every week. Do we say “give me this day my daily bread”? No, it is not that way. Instead we pray “Give US Lord, OUR daily bread.” We all live into the same grace that God supplies us with in the kingdom lived out as best we can given the world we live in today.
We are God’s children and do not earn salvation but receive salvation as a gift from God. We serve each other and our neighbors in response to what God first gives us.
Do we grumble when God gives us grace because someone else receives it too?! No, we are not the same as the world. We don’t then bring the world’s ways into the Vineyard with us.
What if a person were baptized and someone says “you didn’t use enough water.” I’d say the water is less important than the action of God. God infuses the person with the Holy Spirit and he/she had been a faithful person and is part of the Body of Christ. No comparisons necessary.
In the same way, should we grumble at God for giving someone else grace? It is not our call. Leave it to God and do not become entangled in the branches of a that tree. When we trust each other to be in the family of God through Christ we let go of grumbling and competing to earn anything. We accept the grace of God as it is poured upon our lives and live with joy and peace.