"The Kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is the least of all seeds; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." (Matthew 13:31-32)\
Jesus spake unto the multitudes in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet from afore, saying, "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:34-35; Psalm 78:2)
Apostle Paul sheds further light on the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, saying, "Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith; to God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
It is in this context that the discussion from the most recent post continues. Therein, Jesus shares a parable about a householder looking for those who will labour in his vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) The householder is the Lord God Himself. The labourers are you and I whom the Lord desires to take out of the darkness of this world, and to replace our empty hearts with His everlasting love.
As a contrast, Solomon in the Old Testament has a vineyard in Baalhamon. (Song of Solomon 8:11-12) Therein, Solomon lets out the vineyard unto keepers, and every keeper is to bring forth a thousand pieces of silver. Solomon tells how his mother's children were angry with him, and thus made him the keeper of the vineyards. However, at the same time, Solomon laments because he has not been able to keep his own vineyards. (Song of Solomon 1:6)
"My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me: thou, O Solomon must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof, two hundred." (Song of Solomon 8:12)
Interestingly, we see the Lord's invitation to His chosen bride -- the body of Christ church -- in both scriptural accounts. His church being called out from the worldly system of polygamy (the worship of other gods, idols, worldly mammon, etc.) into His glorious Kingdom.
But there is so much more. Returning to Jesus' parable in Matthew 20, several themes are introduced. First, there is the householder who is the Lord God Himself. Second, we are the labourers standing idly by because as of this point, no one has called us to work. Third, we see the kingdom of heaven expounded upon. Fourth, Jesus summarizes the parable with "the first shall be last and the last first." Fifth, parables are a mystery wherein the Lord uses a worldly example -- so that we who believe can understand a truth.
One of the mysteries emerging in the parable is specific to the new testament. That is, the new testament is about the grafting in (adoption) of the Gentiles. Apostle Paul speaks in-depth about the Gentiles becoming fellow-heirs/fellow-citizens in Ephesians 3:3-6. Of course, bringing the Gentiles into a status of equality with God's old testament people provokes the Israelites. Still, we know God is still in control, and thus, He is a debtor to no man.
In the parable, Jesus asks, "Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with Mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good?" (Matthew 20:14-15)
This is a good question -- who are we (the created) to question the wisdom and knowledge of our Creator? Conversely, shouldn't we who believe the blessings we receive - His love, His grace, His mercy multiplied -- and that these blessings arrive most often, when we least expect it? And yet, regardless of the moment in time our hearts actually happenstance toward Him (according to the the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ), each and every one of us has an opportunity to be adopted into His vineyard. Indeed, we are all called -- a choice rendered -- to become labourers in His garden.
In essence then, when we come to the Lord Jesus, and accept Him as our Lord God and Saviour -- we enter into the body of Christ church as equals; no longer beholden to another because of seniority. Does this mean we remain idle and/or slothful? Of course not. We are called to plant seeds and water the plant -- working out our own salvation. This is a message in and of itself.
A couple of other points worth mentioning.
The householder not only invites those who are idle into His vineyard but He agrees to pay the labourers "whatsoever is right." (Matthew 20:4,7) At some point, these souls who are ready to be hired will make a choice -- whether to follow the Lord Jesus, or to remain a servant of iniquity. As the scriptures repeatedly state, choose ye this day in whom ye will serve!
On a different note, do you remember who you were prior to coming to Jesus? If we consider this parable in context, we can easily assume that we too were in a state of idleness, basically living from day to day but accomplishing nothing towards the fulfillment of God's purpose and/or enhancing the Kingdom of heaven.
The secondary thread in the parable is the penny -- which was paid equally to all the labourers who agreed to be hired. For some labourers (who were hired in the third hour of the day) the awarding of equal wages to one and all - even those hired in the ninth hour -- was seemingly unfair. However, if we substitute God's grace and mercy as the currency used in the parable -- His abundance of love which led Him to take our place on the cross -- we begin to understand the real value of the crown (heaven's glories) that surpasses all human understanding. In other words, the penny used to represent wages signified the glorious reward that has been set before us, when we choose to work the works of Him that sent us into the world.
Thus, part of the message in the parable is for all of us to understand that salvation is not of works but by grace -- the gift of God.
The other point worth noting is this: in the Old Testament we were wholly under the law which placed men and women in a position of debt (as debtors to do the whole law). But in the ushering in of the New Testament, the Lord has distributed His gift of grace to one and all equally - wherein everyone can be filled to completeness, the debt having been paid by His precious, holy blood on a cross. (Hebrews 9:14-18)
Yes, the same "good man" of the house - He paid our debt in full.
More to come. Stand in the offering plate.
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