Why We're Out There!

[05/05/2008 “teEn-MAIL”]

WHY WE’RE OUT THERE!

In Matthew 20:1-16 we find one of Jesus’ kingdom parables. The setting of this parable was that of workers being hired and sent out to work in a vineyard. At the end of the day, those who had worked longer felt slighted when they saw those who started later receiving the same pay for which they had agreed to work. ( Matthew 20:11-12) Under the circumstances they felt they should have received more. Bottom line, this parable reflects the receiving of the same reward for having answer the call of the Lord whether that be early or late in life’s day. However, there is something else we can learn from focusing on the laborers at their work.

The first half of this parable reads. . .
“(1) For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out EARLY in the morning to hire LABORERS FOR HIS VINEYARD. (2) After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he SENT THEM INTO HIS VINEYARD. (3) And going out about the THIRD HOUR he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, (4) and to them he said, ‘YOU GO INTO THE VINEYARD TOO, and whatever is right I will give you.’ (5) So they went. Going out again about the SIXTH HOUR and the NINTH HOUR, he did the same. (6) And about the ELEVENTH HOUR he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ (7) They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘YOU GO INTO THE VINEYARD TOO.’” ( Matthew 20:1-7 ESV)

Recently I asked an adult Bible class to tell me what these verses taught us about time. In response to my question, four things were mentioned: 1. “Different workers and different hours.” 2. “Work to be done through the day.” 3. “Lots of workers.” and 4. “It’s never too late to start” (at least as long as it is still the day of our life).

What time is it in our life right now? We might consider this question in light of our physical age or our spiritual age. Where are we at this point in our life? This is a question we would do well to visit frequently and prayerfully! Then we should consider what that time means to us in the sense of how it impacts our activity? Do we say, “I have plenty of time ahead of me”? Do we say, “There will be other opportunities”? Do we say, “I’ve served for many years, I deserve a rest”? Do we say, “I’ll let others do the work now”?

Consider each of the workers in the parable. What did they do at the point of being called? The WENT OUT TO WORK IN THE VINEYARD. They were not called to stand looking at it. They were not called to go lay in it. They were not called to go disrupt or distract the work of others. They were CALLED TO JOIN IN WITH those already working! Such a mutual benefit and fellowship in the work of God needs to continually be a part of our focus.

Consider another point regarding the workers. How long did the labor continue? It went on until the end of the day. Both the ones who were called early and those who were called late, CONTINUED TO WORK TOGETHER. There was no dropping out when others were called. All continued to work together until it was time to quit. Even the eleventh hour was not a time for idleness. All who were called regardless of when they were called were expected to continue to LABOR TOGETHER until it was the end of the day.

On one occasion Jesus said to His disciples…
“(4) WE MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; NIGHT IS COMING, WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK.” ( John 9:4 ESV)

Regardless of life’s hour, as long as it is day -- before life’s night falls upon us -- may our labors continued for the sake of others and the glory of God! The present is no time for idleness, but rather our opportunity to do what we have been called to do! May our LABORS TOGETHER for the Lord’s harvest continue.

Have a great day REMEMBERING WHY WE ARE IN THE VINEYARD!
Carl

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