Restore Us, O God

Psalm 80

When we go through a personal crisis period in our lives, as believers it is important that we turn to the Lord for His help and deliverance.  Serious problems can often weaken our faith, and we need a revival in our spirit to draw us back into a closer relationship with Jesus.  This is also important on a national level, especially if one’s country at any time was considered a “Christian country”.  Many Christians pray not only for personal revival in their lives, but also for national revival.  Our psalm for today is such a prayer, one which the psalmist Asaph prayed for his nation Israel.

Our psalmist, Asaph, wrote this psalm during a national crisis, possibly after a serious defeat in battle, or during the years that the powerful Assyrian empire threatened the nation. He knew that many of the problems that the nation faced were due to God’s chastening because of the people’s sin and departure from Him.  Knowing this, Asaph prayed a prayer of repentance and for national revival.

As the psalm opens, Asaph addressed God as the Shepherd of Israel, the One who led Joseph as a flock, and as the One who is enthroned between the cherubim (vs. 1-3).  This was a reminder that God cares about His covenant people, and is their Leader and Sovereign.  Asaph called on the Lord on behalf of the people, as Israel was in distress, and God’s blessings appeared withdrawn.  He prayed for God’s face to again shine upon them, so they could experience His peace and restoration.

Israel’s suffering was not accidental.  These afflictions and national humiliation were allowed by God (vs. 4-7).  Sometimes God permits hardships in order to correct His people, both at the time of Asaph, and also today.  His discipline is evidence of His concern for His children.  We read this in the New Testament, in Hebrews 12:6.  When we go through a time of suffering, it is not a sign that God has abandoned us, but that He is dealing with us as His children.  In addition to praying that God would bring relief from our suffering, we should also seek to learn the lesson that God is teaching us through them.

Asaph continued in his psalm by portraying Israel as a vine which God brought up from Egypt (vs. 8-13).  This, of course, refers to His deliverance of His people from bondage to Pharaoh.  God had removed the heathen nations, prepared the land, and caused the vine of Israel to flourish, showing His gracious work in their history.  However, now the protective hedge has been removed, and enemies freely invade and destroy the country.  Israel’s protection depended on walking in fellowship with the Lord.  This can apply to us today, as well.  Christians and churches that once flourished can decline when they cease depending upon the Lord.  Just look around our cities and see how many churches are closed, or have a bare minimum of people who occasionally attend.

The psalmist prays to God to look down from heaven and protect what He had at one time planted (vs. 14-18).  He pleads to God, not for Israel’s merit, but because of His mercy.  In verse 17, the “man of Your right hand” may initially point to the king, but it ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  He is God’s chosen King, the One seated at God’s right hand.  The ultimate restoration of Israel will come through her Messiah, Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the people, Asaph promised a renewed faithfulness if the Lord would restore them (vs. 18-19).  Three times throughout this psalm Asaph had prayed for the Lord to turn to them and restore them (vs. 3, 7, 19), each time with a stronger plea.  The first time it was “O God”.  The second is a bit stronger, “O God of hosts”.  The final time Asaph pleads “O Lord God of hosts”.

As believers, what can we learn from this psalm/prayer for revival?  First, we see that God is both our Shepherd and also our Judge.  The same God who protects His people also disciplines them when necessary.  We also see that sin brings consequences.  Israel’s afflictions were linked to her spiritual condition.  God forgives sin, but sin often leaves painful consequences.  In this psalm we see that revival is not produced by human effort alone, but by God’s gracious intervention.  God’s covenant purposes cannot fail.  Though the vine was damaged, it was not destroyed.  The Lord God remains faithful to His promises.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only ultimate hope, both for individuals and also for each nation.  Only through Jesus can Israel or any nation be restored, can sinners be saved, and God’s purposes be fulfilled.  A nation that rejects God’s truth should not presume upon His blessings.  When God’s people experience spiritual decline, the answer is repentance, renewed dependence upon God, and confidence in His covenant faithfulness and mercy.

In closing, we need to pray the three requests that Asaph prayed in Psalm 80.  “Restore us again” - Ask God to reveal areas where spiritual renewal is needed.  “Cause Your face to shine” - Seek restored fellowship and God’s blessing.  And finally “we shall be saved” - Trust God to bring the restoration that only He can accomplish.

The Song of God's Vineyard

Isaiah 5:1-7

On a hot day I was looking forward to getting home and having a small bowl of the chilled green seedless grapes (my favorite) that I had recently bought.  With how hot it was, they would be so cool and refreshing.  So imagine my disappointment when I bit into the grapes to find that they were all sour!  No one wants a bowlful of sour grapes!  Has that ever happened to you?  In our Scripture today from the Prophet Isaiah, we read of how disappointed God was when His vineyard brought forth sour grapes.  Let’s see what Isaiah was talking about and what it can mean to us today.

The beginning verses of the 5th chapter of Isaiah are an allegory of God’s relationship to the nation of Israel.  God, pictured as a vineyard owner, had cleared the hillside of debris, planted good vines, built a watchtower for protection, and crafted a press to enjoy the results of His harvest.  The grapes are the people of Israel.  With everything that God had provided for His grape vines we would think that they would turn out perfectly sweet.  Why did the vines produce sour grapes?  Despite every possible blessing and advantage from God, the people of Israel produced spiritual corruption rather than righteousness.  What happened?

The opening verses in this allegorical “song” appear gentle and affectionate, emphasizing God’s love and care for His people.  He demonstrated love, patience, and goodness.  God had not abandoned His people in the wilderness, nor when they came into the Promised Land.  Instead, they had rejected His gracious care.

A good vineyard owner will plant the best vines he can get, and keep the vines protected with fences and watchtowers.  He will remove any unwanted debris from the grounds (vs. 2).  God had equally provided for Israel.  He delivered them from Egypt, gave them His Law and His prophets.  God had placed them in the land He had promised the Patriarchs, and protected them.  The vineyard produced fruit, but it was worthless fruit.  Despite all of God’s care, His vineyard produced sour grapes of selfishness, injustice, and oppression.  God reluctantly destroyed the vineyard, while saving a remnant of vines that someday would produce a good harvest.

God invited Judah to judge the situation themselves (vs. 3-4).  No fault could be found in the vineyard owner.  The failure rested entirely with the vineyard.  God had faithfully fulfilled His covenant obligations.  Israel could not blame Him for her spiritual condition.  As judgement, God said He would remove the hedge and break down the wall.  The vineyard would be laid waste, uncared for (vs. 5-6).  God would remove His protection.  Foreign invasion and national devastation would follow, which was ultimately fulfilled with the Babylonian captivity.

How does this apply to us today?  A person may possess religious privileges, can have Biblical knowledge, and be involved in their church, yet fail to produce godly fruit.  God is not impressed merely by appearance.  Those grapes looked good on the vine.  The ones I tried eating looked good in the bowl, yet both were sour.  God looks for those who have called upon His Son, Jesus, who pattern their life after Him, and are obedient to His Word.  God holds people accountable for their response to His truth.  He is not deficient in His provisions, rather it is rebellion in the human heart, and there comes a point when persistent rebellion will bring divine chastening.

God had desired the good fruit of justice, righteousness, holiness, and obedience, but instead found the bad fruit of oppression, violence, and spiritual corruption.  The nation looked religious, but was a sour grape.  They were morally bankrupt.  God expects His people, both then and now, to bear fruit.  Throughout Scripture we see that genuine faith is evidenced by godly fruit.  Fruit does not produce salvation, but salvation should produce fruit.

The question today is not whether you are active religiously, but whether godly fruit is evident in your life.  We need to examine our fruit.  Don’t presume upon God’s blessings.  Israel had enjoyed tremendous privileges, but still came under judgment.  Church attendance, Biblical knowledge, and Christian heritage do not guarantee spiritual health.  Like the vineyard, believers have received abundant provision, and should respond with gratitude and faithful service.  God expected righteousness and was grieved by corruption.  He still desires holiness from His people today.

Privileges bring responsibility.  God still examines the fruit of His children’s lives, and genuine faith should result in obedience, righteousness, and godly character.  The vineyard failed, not because the Owner neglected it, but because it rejected the purpose for which it had been planted.  Isaiah warns us here against having mere outward religion.  When God graciously provides every opportunity for spiritual fruitfulness, He rightly expects a harvest of righteousness.

Which Son Are You?

Matthew 21:28-32

There is a saying in English, “Actions speak louder than words.”  There are probably similar sayings in other languages.  What we do means more than what we say.  We can promise others all sorts of things, but those promises mean nothing unless we follow through with our actions.  Our Lord saw examples of this behavior in His people, and sought to teach a lesson with a parable.  Let’s take a look and see what God’s Word can teach us.

The parable of two sons was one of several that the Lord Jesus told the crowds, specifically targeted towards the religious leaders, during the last week before His crucifixion.  If one were to give a superficial look at the crowd, those leaders would seem to appear quite religious.  Scattered in the crowds, perhaps on the fringes of the group of people, were others who had unsavory backgrounds, such as prostitutes, corrupt tax collectors, etc, ones who had seemingly rejected God.  As Jesus was going to clearly show, looks can be deceiving.

Jesus told the parable of a man who had two sons.  He asked each of them to go work in his vineyard to get the crop in.  One said no, but later changed his mind and went (vs. 28-29).  The second had responded with a “Yes, sir!” but never went (vs. 30).  Jesus asked the group, specifically those Pharisees and religious elders, who was the obedient one.  In this parable, the father represents God, and the vineyard symbolizes His work and Kingdom purposes.  The first son pictured sinners who have repented of their wrong actions, and the second are self-righteous religious folks.  Both heard the father’s orders, but only one obeyed.

The first son pictures openly sinful people.  Their lives have plainly demonstrated rebellion against God.  However at some point in their life they repent, they have a change of heart towards God, change their mind about the sin in their life, and turn towards God.  This son’s repentance was proven by his action.  He didn’t merely feel sorry, he turned around and headed towards what his father asked.  True repentance leads to obedience.

The second son was polite and respectful.  He said all the right things, and outwardly he appeared superior to the first son.  However, his was an empty profession.  He talked about obedience but never actually obeyed.  He represented religious leaders who claimed devotion to God, but rejected His messengers and Word.  Many people today profess Christianity, attend church, and use religious language, but have never truly submitted to Jesus Christ.

Jesus specifically asked the religious leaders who of the two obeyed the father (vs. 31-32).  Their answer would condemn themselves, as after they answered, Jesus told them that tax collectors and prostitutes would get into the Kingdom ahead of them.  It was not because those despised people were less sinful, but because they had repented of their sins.  Salvation is not based on respectability.  It is entered by repentance and faith.  Both the prostitute and the Pharisee need God’s grace.

Right prior to the start of Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist had preached repentance and righteousness.  His message was clear and Biblical.  Many of those who society called sinful believed John and repented.  Their lives were transformed.  However, the religious leaders also heard, and saw multitudes repent.  Yet their hearts and souls remained hardened and they refused to submit to God’s revealed truth.  A person can be very religious and still be lost.

God desires obedience rather than mere profession.  He is not impressed by religious language, external forms, and how one appears in public.  He desires obedience from the heart.  Genuine repentance will produce a change.  It is not perfection, nor emotion, but a change in one’s life, demonstrating genuine faith.  Church membership, baptism, family heritage, or Bible knowledge cannot save.  Only personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ saves.

The religious leaders saw no need for repentance.  Self-righteousness is a great barrier to salvation.  Both “religious” people and criminals must come to God the same way.  No sinner is too wicked to be saved, and it is never too late to repent.  The first son began badly, but ended well.  Many people have lived years in rebellion, yet God still extends mercy through Jesus.

In closing, God values genuine repentance and obedient faith over mere religious profession.  The repentant sinner who believes God’s message is accepted, while the outwardly religious person who refuses to obey remains outside God’s blessing.  Jesus teaches that what ultimately matters is not what we say we will do for God, but whether we actually respond to Him in repentant faith and obedience.

Once Humbled, Now Exalted

Philippians 2:5-11

How many company presidents and CEO’s have you ever heard of who help clean up around the office on a regular basis, take out the trash, or make sure there is a full pot of coffee always brewing and bring some to the secretaries?  Or how many high ranking politicians or world leaders have you heard of that forego first class accommodations and fly economy class with us regular folks, and stay in economy motels?  Generally we see that as people gain more power and wealth, they want more of the finer things, and to be served, not do the serving. For many people, including some believers, that might be a goal.  However, as we read in our Scripture today from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, our model in life should be from One who did just the opposite.

The Apostle Paul had established a Christian church in the city of Philippi on one of his missionary journeys, and while there he and his companion Silas were beaten and thrown into prison.  After their release the next day they were told to leave town.  Paul wrote his letter of encouragement and teaching to the Philippian believers around ten to twelve years later.  Among many things that he was instructing them, one was to have unity among each other, without selfish ambitions, and to esteem others better than themselves.  As our Scripture passage opens, Paul pointed to the Lord Jesus as the perfect example of the type of thinking he was encouraging (vs. 5).  Many Christians, particularly those in leadership positions, desire the power and popularity that Jesus had, but are less eager to imitate His humility, which Paul said here should be forefront.

As Paul continued, he clearly pointed out that Jesus Christ is God (vs. 6).  The phrase “being in the form of God” means that Jesus possessed the very nature and essence of deity.  Jesus didn’t just resemble God, He truly is God.  Other Scriptures affirm this truth, such as John 1:1; John 10:30; Colossians 2:9; and Hebrews 1:8.  Jesus did not become God after the resurrection.  He was always God, possessing full equality with the Father in both essence and nature.  This proves false the teaching that some denominations and other religions have when they say that Jesus was just a prophet and a created being.

Jesus did not give up His deity when He became man (vs. 7).  He never ceased to be God.  Rather, He voluntarily laid aside His heavenly glory, the exercise of certain divine privileges, and the outward showing of His majesty.  Jesus remained fully God while becoming fully man.  He was not half God and half man, instead He was and is 100% God and 100% man.  When Jesus became a man, He did not choose to become a great and powerful man, like a king or emperor.  Instead the Creator became a servant.  The King of glory took the position of a servant, showing the depth of His humility.

The humility shown by Jesus did not stop at His becoming a man.  It showed itself all the way to His willingness to die for our sins upon the cross (vs. 8).  Jesus willingly chose obedience to the Father all the way to Calvary.  He not only endured the physical agony of crucifixion, but also bore the sins of everyone who ever lived.  He surrendered all of His rights for our salvation.

Because of Jesus’ obedience, the Father exalted Him (vs. 9).  This was clearly seen in His resurrection, ascension, and enthronement at God’s right hand.  His momentary humiliation was followed by exaltation.  The cross led to the crown.  No greater Name exists.  No higher authority exists.  No one deserves greater worship than Jesus.  Because of His humility and obedience, the Father has exalted Jesus to the place of highest honor (vs. 10).  The result is that every knee, all created beings, will ultimately bow before Him.  This includes all heavenly beings, all humanity, including  kings, celebrities, atheists, religious leaders, and ordinary people, and all fallen spiritual beings, such as Satan and his demons.  They will all confess that Jesus is Lord (vs. 11).

The same One who humbled Himself and died on a cross is the One who now reigns in glory and will one day be publicly acknowledged by all creation as Lord.  Those who reject Jesus now will still confess His lordship one day, but they will do so as those standing before His judgment.  The question is not whether a person will acknowledge Jesus Christ’s Lordship, the question is when.  Will it be in faith during this life, or in recognition before His judgment throne?

This future reality should affect how we, as believers, should live today.  Our worship should be sincere, our obedience wholehearted, and our witness should be urgent.  Those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior need to hear the Gospel before the day when His Lordship is universally acknowledged.

Seeking God's Guidance

Psalm 25

At some point in your life you are likely to have to make some significant decisions.  These might be decisions in your personal life, or they might be related to your job.  Some have jobs where they might have to make very critical and life altering decisions, ones that may affect many people, such as a doctor, scientist, or a world leader.  Some of you might feel confident in your ability to make the right decision, but others seek the help and guidance of other people who hopefully will guide them in the right way.  Our psalm for this week is a prayer that King David made, asking the Lord for His guidance.  Let’s see what David prayed.

As one reads through the Bible of the life of David, we quickly see that there were many times he had to make critical decisions.  He spent years trying to escape the threats to his life by King Saul.  Then he first became the king of the southern Kingdom of Judah, and then both king of Judah and all of Israel.  As a king, and also the chief military leader, David was faced with having to frequently make very important decisions.  Though he probably had a council who would have advised when consulted, the one he went to all the time for help was the Lord God.  He always went to God for His help all throughout his life.

As David began his prayer, he surrendered himself to the Lord (vs. 1-3).  He directed his whole being towards God.  His prayers weren’t just empty words. David reached out his heart to the Lord in faith, confident that He would help him in his troubles.  David knew that God was greater than anything he faced.  Those who come in prayer and wait upon the Lord will not be ashamed. This does not mean that believers will never face difficulty, but it means that He will never fail those who trust in Him.  Like David did, when faced with uncertain difficulties and need for His direction, we should first worship, trust, and depend upon God.

After surrendering himself to the Lord, David then requested His guidance (vs. 4-7).  David prayed for God to show him, teach him, and lead him.  He recognized that spiritual guidance must come from God.  We can’t turn to other false deities for help.  David asked to be led in God’s ways, His paths, and His truth.  The Bible, God’s Word, is the primary means through which He guides His people.

David knew, as he stated in verse 7, that he needed to have a clean conscience before he could expect God to hear and answer his prayers (Psalm 66:18).  He brought his sins and faults honestly before God, depending entirely upon His grace.  Godly guidance begins with humility.  Proud people want God to approve their plans, but humble people want God’s plans.

Everything in David’s prayer rests upon who God is (vs. 8-10).  He knew that God is good, and that He desires what is best and right.  The Lord is also willing to teach and guide sinners and the humble.  He delights in teaching those who recognize their need for Him.  Pride resists instruction, but humility receives instruction.  The more teachable we become, the more God can shape us into the image of His Son.

David pleaded with God for forgiveness of his sins, which he knew he must do before God could help him (vs. 11).  David didn’t say his sin was small, or that his good works outweighed it, or even that he deserved forgiveness.  Instead, he said that his sins were great.  God is not impressed by excuses.  He responds to humble confession.  The believer who is humble enough to confess his sins is also the believer who is teachable enough to receive God’s guidance.

There are blessings for those who fear God (vs. 12-14).  This fear refers to reverential awe, worship, submission, and obedience to Him.  The blessings He bestows on those who fear Him include divine guidance.  He will direct those who desire His will.  He will also bless with spiritual prosperity and security, though not necessarily material wealth.  We are also blessed with fellowship with the Lord.  God shares His heart with believers who walk closely with Him.

David winds down his prayer with crying out to God again for deliverance from his troubles (vs. 15-21).  However, he kept his eyes fixed on God.  Looking continually at our problems will produce despair.  Instead, look continually towards God and that will produce hope.

Believers should bring every burden, every decision, and everything in our life to God.  There is no trouble too small, and no burden too heavy for Him.  When we come to Him, He will guide us.  Some of God’s paths for us may be rough and rugged, others tedious and boring, but they all are filled with His love and faithfulness.  Our path may have obstacles, but God will lead us through them all.

Who is Responsible?

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32

What kind of people are your parents and your children?  Are they good, upstanding people, or are either one scoundrels?  Maybe one of them is even worse than that, and is a reprobate criminal.  Or perhaps you are the one that has lived a questionable life.  Who should bear the responsibility or carry some or all of the guilt for the infractions of the other?  Or in the case of an exemplary life, who should receive the accolades?  Should parents be held responsible for their adult children’s actions, or children for their parents' faults?  Likewise, should children receive halos for how their parents were?  This was an issue during the time of the prophet Ezekiel, and has been among some people even today.  Let’s see what the Word of God has to say about this.

As our Scripture opens, Ezekiel recounted a saying that many of the people would say and believe, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” (vs. 1-2).  This saying implied that the children were paying the punishment for what the parents did, the guilt of the parents was transferred to their children.  Immediately God confronted their thinking.  He declared that this proverb should no longer be used, as each generation bears the responsibility of their actions.  One cannot put the blame of their actions on either the previous or the next generation, either personally nor nationally.

It is true that children sometimes experience the consequences of their parents’ actions.  If a parent drinks or gambles away their paycheck, the children will suffer.  If one or both of the parents commit crimes and are sent to prison, the children will suffer.  However, sometimes people seem to want to punish children, even adult children, for what their parents, grandparents, or even further back did.  They punish them by words or their actions.  God said that this was not acceptable to Him (vs. 3-4).  He said “the soul who sins shall die.”

God deals with people as moral agents, responsible for their own choices.  We cannot pass the blame for our behavior and our sins onto a previous generation, nor the punishment onto our children.  Every individual is personally accountable before God for his own sin.  While we may inherit circumstances from previous generations, we do not inherit guilt before God.  Each soul stands before Him personally.

As our Scripture continues further down, some of the people that Ezekiel preached to objected to this.  They felt that children should bear the guilt of the sins of the father (vs. 19).  Some today continue to feel that way.  However, God said that if the one person sins, and their offspring doesn’t, but instead follow His ways, they should not bear the punishment.  Sons are not condemned for the fathers’ sins, and fathers are not condemned for sons’ sins.  Each person stands accountable before God.

Our culture today encourages adult children to blame their parents for their failures, and parents often accept that blame.  That is not Biblical.  The Bible teaches that we are responsible to God for how we raise our children, but we are not responsible for our children’s adult choices.  Similarly some say that we should pay for the faults and sins of previous generations.  However, God makes it clear in this passage that he does not condemn a righteous person simply because of his parents’ sins.

In the same way we cannot claim our parents’ or grandparents’ righteousness for our own.  Each person must personally respond to God.  No one is saved because his parents were Christians or he came from a good and godly family.  No one is either blessed or condemned because of family background.  Every person must stand before God individually.

The sinful man is not hopeless, though (vs. 21-23).  If he turns to God, there is mercy.  Repentance brings forgiveness, and God is forgiving.  He is holy and must judge sin, but He does not delight in judgment.  He delights in repentance.  God desires that sinners turn from sin and live.

There is also a danger for a righteous person to turn away from God (vs. 24-29).  Just as a wicked man may repent, a righteous man may abandon his godly life and turn to sin.  When that happens, if they were genuinely saved, they do not lose eternal salvation, but God will bring judgment and punishment upon them.  Past righteousness does not justify present rebellion.

There are still people who argue that this is not right, that people should be responsible for the wrongs of previous generations.  God’s answer is simple: the problem is not His ways, the problem is their ways (vs. 29).  Whenever people accuse God of injustice, Scripture consistently demonstrates that God’s judgments are perfectly righteous.  Ezekiel closed with a call to repentance (vs. 30-32).  Agree with God about sin, turn from it, and turn towards a life of obedience to Him.  Each person must answer to God for his own sin.

Does it Seem Fair?

Matthew 20:1-16

“It’s not fair!”  How many times have we heard a child cry that out to their parents, teacher, or someone else?  Maybe a sibling got an extra cookie, or the teacher gives different homework assignments, or another child is seeming to get away with some infraction.  Even as adults we want to feel that there is an established set of justice, and that things are fair between one person and another.  When we have worked hard, we want to be justly rewarded, and those who haven’t shouldn’t be given the same reward.  When things don’t measure up to our sense of justice, to what we feel should be our fair share, aren’t we quick to complain that “It’s not fair!”?  Would we say that against God?  In our Scripture today from St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable that brings up a scenario that some might complain “is not fair”.  Let’s take a look, and see if our thinking will line up with what the Lord is teaching.

Jesus told this parable in response to Peter’s question at the end of the previous chapter, where he asked the Lord what reward he and the other disciples would get for leaving their livelihood to follow Him (Matthew 19:27).  Jesus had promised rewards to His faithful disciples, but He knew they could become preoccupied with comparing themselves to others.

The parable begins with a landowner (who symbolizes God) with a large vineyard, who needs a lot of workers.  He goes out early in the morning, around 6 am, to hire laborers (symbolizing believers).  They agreed on a salary of a denarius for a day’s work, which was a fair day’s wage (vs. 1-2). God never deals unfairly with His people.  Whatever He gives is righteous and good.  The landowner goes out several more times throughout the day to hire more workers - 9 am, noon, 3 pm, and finally at 5 pm, an hour before the workday is over (vs. 3-7).  He promises to give them what is right.

Some believers are saved and serve God from childhood.  Timothy is an example of this.  Others are saved in adulthood.  The Apostle Paul was converted as an adult.  And then there are those who are converted near the end of life, perhaps literally on their deathbed.  The thief on the cross was saved in his final hours.  God welcomes all who come to Him through Jesus.

Then came the time for payment (vs. 8-10).  The workers hired at 5 pm received a full denarius, a full days’ wage.  This demonstrates grace.  They did not receive what they earned proportionately, they received what the master chose to give.  This made the first workers assume that they would receive more, with their expectation based on comparison.  Many spiritual problems begin when believers compare themselves to others.

The earlier workers began to complain (vs. 11-12).  They didn’t complain that they were treated poorly.  They complained that the others were treated generously.  The master didn’t do them wrong.  They received exactly what they had agreed on.  Their problem was jealousy.  Are we resentful when others receive blessings that we feel we should have gotten, or when they get more recognition?  Do we ask “Why did they get more than I did?”  We need to ask ourselves why we get upset when God is good to someone else.

As we continue reading, we see the landowner’s response (vs. 13-15).  God’s dealings are always perfectly just.  No one can ever claim that God is unfair.  He has the right to distribute blessings according to His own will.  God never owes grace.  If something is earned, it is wages.  If it is undeserved, it is grace (Romans 11:6).  The problem was not the master’s generosity.  It was the workers’ hearts.

Jesus closed His parable with a warning against pride and self-exaltation (vs. 16).  Those who think they deserve the highest place may be surprised.  Those who humbly serve may receive unexpected honor.  God’s evaluations differ from man’s evaluations.

Rewards in heaven are real, as we see in II Corinthians 5:10 and Revelation 22:12.  However, rewards are distributed by Jesus, not according to human estimates.  This parable doesn’t teach that all believers will receive the same rewards.  Rather, it teaches that God sovereignly blesses and rewards according to His perfect wisdom.  We should rejoice in His goodness towards others instead of comparing ourselves with them.

No one deserves God’s favor.  The workers who came right before the workday ended beautifully illustrate the grace shown to sinners who come late, but who truly come.  The other workers were spending too much time focusing on what others received.  One of Satan’s tools is comparison.  God calls believers to faithfulness, not competition.  The first workers lost their joy when they started looking sideways at others rather than upward to the Master.  They received exactly what was promised, yet envy robbed them of their gratitude.  God does not ask us to measure ourselves against someone else.  He asks us to be faithful where He has placed us.