Matthew 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them [their] hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
Rationally, we follow the first-in, first-out principle; we only use last-in, first-out when using a vessel to store something.
Today’s scripture is a parable of Judgment Day. On Judgment Day, the first resurrection involves only the Elect, and then everyone asleep in Christ arises. Those who are asleep in Christ arise at the same time, so the parable is not about priority. We need to understand that it is more difficult to be a Christian today than it was before. Even though we speak about equality, religious tolerance, inclusivity, etc. Yet not just in the outside world but even in the Church, one will find it very difficult to be a Christian, to stand for the values which the Bible speaks of.
When there is little understanding of the Bible, then all is good. But when we understand more, the whole scenario changes; one starts to wonder all that is happening in the Church: what does it have to do with Christ or His Kingdom?
Today’s scripture is not about being first or last but getting a better reward in Heaven (near to the Throne/Glory of God). Let us be thankful we are born in this time, and let us not lose the opportunity to seek a higher reward/crown in Heaven.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You are a Just God, and all that You do is Just. Lord, we pray we do not be fooled by worldly peace but see the war against truth that is being played. We pray we understand the battle is getting more difficult than before, so we build ourselves stronger…
We make this prayer in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Matthew 20:9-11
9 And when they came that [were hired] about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,
James 5:1-8
1 Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.