To understand the parable at the beginning of Matthew 20, you really need to look at the end of chapter 19.
Peter had just seen a man walk away from the Lord because that man couldn’t let go of his riches. And so he asked Jesus,
“See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27)
Jesus did reassure Peter that their sacrifice would be rewarded.
But he pointed out a major problem with Peter’s question: Peter was merely thinking about God’s kingdom as sacrifice. As duty. And it was extremely important to Peter to know what his “payment” would be for all his sacrifice and work.
Jesus’ parable about the workers in many ways parallels the parable of the prodigal son.
Great grace was shown to workers who had been idle most of the day. Who seemingly hadn’t even been looking for work.
And yet the master went out and brought them in and paid them generously for what little work they did. He in fact paid them the same wage as the workers who had come first thing in the morning.
And just as the older brother got upset at the grace shown to the prodigal son, the first workers got upset at the grace shown to the late coming workers.
Look at the similarity of their words. First the workers:
These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day’s work and the burning heat. (Matthew 20:12)
Now the older brother:
‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.
But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ (Luke 15:29-30)
What is the common complaint? “We have worked so hard for you. We slaved for you.”
There was no joy in their work. Just, “I’m sacrificing for you. I’m slaving away for you. Now give me what I deserve.”
That’s what Peter was saying.
More, in the two stories, there was a looking down on those who weren’t as “diligent.”
“Your worthless son did nothing but party while I was slaving away.”
“Those other guys were just standing around idle while I was working hard.”
And finally, there was a resentment shown when grace was shown to the “undeserving.”
How about you?
Is the kingdom of God all about “duty” and “sacrifice” to you?
Do you feel resentment because you feel you’re working so much harder than everyone else, and you’re not getting what you deserve?
Are you upset when God blesses people more than they deserve?
Or do you rejoice every day because of the grace that you have received?
Do you rejoice in the fact that God calls you “son” and “daughter.”
Do you rejoice that he has invited you to join in with his work?
Do you rejoice that God doesn’t give you what you deserve: hell?
Do you rejoice in the fact that he in fact gives you so much more?
That’s a life of grace.
Are you living a life of grace?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 