Generous Savior

It has been a minute, but jump back into Matthew with me today starting in chapter 20. This passage knocks me over each time I read it. I flag Matthew 20 to return to when my pride swells and I need corrected perspective in my life as a child of God.

The story of the master and laborers gives a tangible example to the disciples Jesus speaks to in Matthew 19 as Jesus explains the kingdom of God, “but many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” It is backwards compared to the message of work hard and your reward will be greater than others who sit idle. But are the ones invited into the work at the eleventh hour idle with the knowledge there is work or unaware there is work? I’m still pondering that one.

In the other gospels the themes from Matthew 20 such as the vineyard setting, the upside-down kingdom, and the message of the last is first and the first is last are emphasized. Jesus defines the kingdom of God, and reiterates it, with the use of these themes throughout his ministry. I am thinking about John 15, the parable of the sower, Jesus’s sermon on the mount, and Jesus’ example of humility that he came to serve and not be served, to name a few. Maybe different passages come to mind for you because of your relationship with Jesus and your time spent in the gospels.

Now, let’s jump into the story starting in Matthew 20:13. I love the gentle response from the master to address the disgruntled laborer as “friend”. Can you hear his voice? It sounds a lot like Jesus in Matthew 11 as he invites all of us to come to him. The kindness of the master represents how God invites us into the work he is doing. God is generous to give the gift of salvation to all who come to him with a repentant heart, and that means in the “third” hour or the “eleventh” hour of life. The interaction of the master and laborer reminds me of the unmerited favor of God that cannot be earned by my work, but is fully dependent on the work of Jesus. I can celebrate in the truth proclaimed by Jesus on the cross when he said, “it is finished.”

This is good news, so what knocks me over each time I read Matthew 20? The master asks the question in verse 15, “or do you begrudge my generosity?” which translates in the Greek, “or the eye of you envious” (Matthew 6:22-23). He clearly reminds the laborer that as the master he fulfilled his promise made in verse 2. Work for me today and I will pay you a denarius, a day’s wage. The promise is clear. The promise is fulfilled. However, the workers that started earlier in the day want to change the terms to come out above the last workers. We worked longer, therefore we deserve more. This message is what culture feeds. It is not the gospel. Why do we feel entitled to more? In my life this happens when my perspective blurs from comparison or envy. Over the last several months I have lived on a chaotic rollercoaster at work. And can I confess? I’m exhausted. Yes, projects are multiplying. Yes, my team is short-handed. But guess what? The core of my exhaustion is not attributed to either of those things. I am exhausted because I compare how much I work to the teammate next to me. I am exhausted every time I scroll social media with envious eyes that I am not on the beach or getting married. I listen to the message culture feeds. And the same exhaustion can bleed into my spiritual life in the ways I use my time, talents, and treasures when I am not rooted in the truth that the promise of Jesus is fulfilled.

The kingdom of God is backwards, and this is good news. God invites you and I into the work he is doing. I can freely participate in the work because of the generosity of the salvation of Jesus given to me. I am free from comparison and envy. Instead of grumbling, I want to celebrate each time a person receives the gift of salvation and joins the work of God. I want to rejoice that we are the children of God.

Q: Do you labor for God with grumbling or delight? Is your perspective blurred? Ask God for ways to walk in humility and gratitude for what God has done in your life.