Cost of Living - Day 13
Day 13 - Wednesday, January 24
Read Matthew 20:1-16
Highlight
Part of the genius of Jesus’ use of parables was that he used common knowledge at the time to help everyone understand the character of God. The problem for modern readers is that sometimes we don’t share that common knowledge so some of the nuance is lost on us. This is the case with the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. Obviously people who have worked longer are getting paid the same as people who worked for less time, and that is unfair. However, the dynamic changes when we understand something about the people who worked the longest.
Every worker in this story is a day laborer, someone who is being hired off of the street for a single day’s work. What can be missed in this parable is that wages for day laborers were notoriously lower than that of full-time employees or household workers. It was the full-time employees that could expect a day’s wages, a denarius. For a day laborer, a denarius was generous. The landowner is generous to everyone in this parable, not just the people who were selected last. Everyone in this parable receives more than they deserve. The point is not that God is fair to some and generous to some, but that He gives all of us more than we deserve!
All people are totally unworthy. No one deserves God’s favor. Heaven is not a prize for people who deserve it. Jesus says in conclusion that ‘The last will be first, and the first last.’ In a foot race, the only way for the last to be first and the first to be last is for everyone to finish simultaneously. That, of course, is precisely the point Jesus was making in the parable. Those hired first and those hired last all got the full benefit of the landowner’s generosity. God gives the same abundant grace to everyone who follows Christ. We don’t get a part of heaven; we all get the whole!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Matthew 20:1-16
Highlight
Part of the genius of Jesus’ use of parables was that he used common knowledge at the time to help everyone understand the character of God. The problem for modern readers is that sometimes we don’t share that common knowledge so some of the nuance is lost on us. This is the case with the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. Obviously people who have worked longer are getting paid the same as people who worked for less time, and that is unfair. However, the dynamic changes when we understand something about the people who worked the longest.
Every worker in this story is a day laborer, someone who is being hired off of the street for a single day’s work. What can be missed in this parable is that wages for day laborers were notoriously lower than that of full-time employees or household workers. It was the full-time employees that could expect a day’s wages, a denarius. For a day laborer, a denarius was generous. The landowner is generous to everyone in this parable, not just the people who were selected last. Everyone in this parable receives more than they deserve. The point is not that God is fair to some and generous to some, but that He gives all of us more than we deserve!
All people are totally unworthy. No one deserves God’s favor. Heaven is not a prize for people who deserve it. Jesus says in conclusion that ‘The last will be first, and the first last.’ In a foot race, the only way for the last to be first and the first to be last is for everyone to finish simultaneously. That, of course, is precisely the point Jesus was making in the parable. Those hired first and those hired last all got the full benefit of the landowner’s generosity. God gives the same abundant grace to everyone who follows Christ. We don’t get a part of heaven; we all get the whole!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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