Matthew 20: 1-16

For the kingdom of heaven, is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning along with the dawn, to hire workmen for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius (a penny) a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour (nine o'clock), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace. And he said to them, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went. He went out again about the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (three o'clock) and he did the same. And about the eleventh hour (five o'clock) he went out and found still others standing around, and said to them, "Why do you stand here idle all day?" They answered him, "Because nobody has hired us." He told them, "You go out into the vineyard also, and you will get whatever is just and fair." When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, "Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first. (Lev.19:13; Deut. 24:15). And those who had been hired at the eleventh hour came and received a denarius each. Now when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius. And when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate, saying, "These men who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day." But he answered one of them, "Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go, I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you. Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or, do you begrudge my being generous? Is your eye evil because I am good? So those who now are last will be first then, and those who are now first will be the last then. For many are called, but few chosen.

This parable in my opinion bears a strong resemblance to the kingdom of heaven in its mystery form. The householder (or owner) is of course our Lord and Savior. The laborers are those who have heard His call for service. Notice that not all of the workers came at the same time, but when they were called they did agree to work in His fields. It was harvest time, and the fields were ripe and ready to be picked, which suggests that this could refer to the end-time harvest. The fields are white and many workers are needed. Jesus, in the beginning of His ministry, called disciples to be his laborers. In verse one we find Jesus going out at dawn to hire workers for His vineyard. His vineyard was and is the kingdom of Heaven. He could have sent his manager to recruit laborers, but instead, He went out Himself.
He, being not a respecter of persons, promised to give each worker the same amount of pay for the day's work and the laborers agreed. Salvation is offered to all Who will accept it, and upon acceptance each laborer is given the tools necessary to do the job. Each new laborer is given the same things, and these are the Holy Spirit of promise through regeneration (new spiritual life); redemption ( our sin-debt paid at calvary; and freedom from slavery to Satan); forgiveness (He no longer remembers our sins); reconciliation (we were alienated from God, we change from enmity to permanent fellowship with God); justification (God took our sins and put them on Jesus at Calvary, then He took the righteousness of Christ and gave it to us); Freedom ( no longer under the law of sin and death); Inheritance ( the promise to Abraham and His seed Christ Jesus, making us heirs to that promise).

On four occasions the householder (Jesus) went to the marketplace. He went at 9 AM, 12:00 noon, 3:00PM, and at 5:00 PM which was a mere hour before the close of the day's work. Each time someone was hired He promised that He would do what was right by them according to the work that they accomplished. We, as His children, do not work for money or reward, but God does keep a tally of our works whether good or bad, and will reward us accordingly one day in the future.

The last group hired was different than the others, because these men were not seeking employment. They were standing idly by and had been throughout the day. Perhaps these were ones who had heard the Word but had not considered Salvation, or even Christians who in idleness never became a true worker in the kingdom. These are 11th hour people (those living in the end of the end times). The householder approached them and asked why they had spent the whole day (or whole life) in idleness. And their reply is so apt for today, for so many wander around never really knowing what they believe, or in Who they believe. These people look in all the wrong places in their search for the Truth. Their souls long for God, yet they are so earthly-minded, that they cannot accept the spiritual aspects that lead to Salvation. Then there are others who have simply not been shown the way, as we see by these idle men. These men answered Him and said, "Because no man has hired us." It was evident that they wanted employment (or salvation), for they stood there all day. But no one had shown them God's love, His mercy and grace. Oh, Father God, forgive us for the times we have neglected to ask, to love, and to reach out with the Truth to a dying world. These men, even though only an hour remained of the workday, readily agreed to work in the vineyard for the last hour. I believe the last hour is here, that soon the householder will make His silent appearance. And in this present hour, the laborers are so few and the need so great. Who will win them? Who will disciple them, if not the few?

 Jesus is righteous and fair and He does not 'pick' and 'choose' one of us over another. He loves all of us. Many have been called to serve, in fact, everyone who names the name of Christ, is called to service. Not every one is a pastor, not everyone has the same gifts. But, nonetheless, everyone is called to work, everyone has a talent that He given them to use for His honor and glory. Everyone is called to be a soul winner. But sadly, the many too often become the few.

These workers had toiled all day long, but the eleventh hour workers only an hour. But, when it was time for each to receive his pay for the day, 'many' of them were surprised, then angered. The eleventh hour workers were given the same amount of pay as those who had worked all day. Some of the 'many' were upset because the few had been given equal status. Today, in churches, there seems to be a great 'many' who have that same 'spirit'. The bottom line is, All Who give their lives to Jesus are chosen, and it is up to each of us to act on His bidding and to heed His call for service with love and humility. Unfortunately, 'many' work for all the wrong reasons, and with the wrong attitudes for service. Too 'many' have become the takers and never the givers in the kingdom. They jumped on the boat and were faithful in the beginning, then they became complacent and allowed routine into their lives. Sure, they still went to church and sometimes even read (but did not study) their bibles at home. They still praised Him, but without the right spirit. They lost their first love, and that is a very dangerous spiritual position. Far too often, the 'many' are trying to take a middle ground, so as not to be 'labeled' controversial. However, what they forget is that the 'middle' is the breeding place for compromise. Many no longer long for or look for His soon coming. And the Word clearly says, that we should ever be watching and waiting for His appearing.

We will all be rewarded in Heaven, but not because works are any part of our salvation, they are not! Our works are the jewels that the 'few', will in love lay at His feet. Those who do their works for praise and glory here on this earth, and throughout their lifetime seek their own glory not His, have quite a surprise coming. It will be a sad day for them, and tears of regret will flow, as they stand before Jesus. His loving eyes will look deep into theirs, and then He will notice their empty outstretched hands; no crowns to lay at His feet. Many are indeed called, but the faithful few are chosen.

Tara Hart © 2002 All rights reserved