This morning, I move on to Matthew 20, and it starts with a parable that does not seem fair, at all! It’s the Parable of The Workers in the Vineyard. And today I learned that I am but a grape still needing to be crushed, because I still have an evil eye. Let me explain. Did you know the Word of God reflects our evil eye, and proves that we aren’t good at all! It is true. Let me show you. Jesus said. “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ ‘So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:1-16 So, what did you see? Is your eye good or evil? When I first read this parable a long time ago, I thought, “How can God be so cruel?” Why would God allow one man to burden for so long, and give a man who barely labored the same reward? It’s just did not seem fair, at all! Then I heard a sermon, and the pastor taught on this concept - “the last will be first, and the first last” and because God is loving, His sole desire is for everyone to go to Heaven, despite the amount of work they’ve done while here on the earth. I loved the message because it reflected how loving our God is. He offers everyone the same reward as long as they come to Him, and do some work for the Kingdom of Heaven. But then this morning, the Holy Spirit taught me and He showed me so much more! The Word that was highlighted was not about who is last and who is first, or their reward. The Word that Holy Spirit underscored is this, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ Oh My God! How had I not seen this before? I guess it’s because “many are called, but few chosen.” Apparently, my heart was not ready to receive the deeper, more transforming part of this message before. You alone are God. You set the law. I am but a human, here today and gone tomorrow. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes and showing me the truth of who I am and who you are. Who am I to question you, of your fairness or your justice? Because there is no way I can understand the whole reason behind your plan. Who am I to think that I get to choose or to approve of your mercy or your goodness? I am but a human. Like Job, I am not righteous - despite the wonderful deeds I’ve done. You alone are God. I am just a part of the Potter’s plan. Who am I to decide? For you are Master Gardener and you own the whole Vineyard. I am but a grape. A grape that continues to be crushed, beneath your heavy foot - because of my hardness of heart. Thank you Jesus, for turning this contaminated water of mine, into expensive wine. Only you are just.
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