Talking Trees...Vineyard Workers

~~~ Judges 9:6-15 ~~~ Psalm 21 ~~~ Matthew 20:1-16 ~~~

...Are you envious because I am generous?

Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.

In the first reading from the book of Judges 

it sounds more like a children's story.

The trees are arguing about which one should rule over the others.

They first approach the olive tree...for the oil

 had many uses in priestly rituals.

But the olive tree declined.

Second they came to the fig tree...the large leaves 

provided shade and a common meeting place.

The fig tree also declined.

Third they came to the vine...he too declined for not wanting

 to give up his precious grapes for wine.

Finally they approached the buckthorn...

who offered his shade.

The buckthorn is only a bush

 it can hardly compare itself to a tree.

But if the other trees do not come 

he threatens fire will erupt to devour them.

The most unlikely candidate also makes the most shocking statement.

Jesus was the most unlikely candidate to save us.

This is precisely why the high priests, the Pharisees, 

and so many others were bitterly offended by his message.

They were not willing to give up their control.

They were in charge; how dare anyone 

challenge their authority.

To further complicate matters Jesus tells the parable 

which seems to favor those who do the least 

amount of work in the vineyard.

Why should one who works only one hour 

be given the same wage as the one who has worked all day?

Jesus chooses to speak of situations which his listeners could identify.

They all understood the concept of earning a days wage.

Pay is compensation for the work you have completed.

The best way I have found to view this parable 

is to remove the preconceived idea of real money.

Jesus is never focused on monetary rewards...

in his 'vineyard' they would have no value.

Jesus values the timing of our when we turn our heart to him.

The kingdom of heaven is for all those who 

work in the vineyard of the Lord.

The length of time matters not because 

God is not limited by hours or days.

Those who convert on their death bed are valued and rewarded

 just the same as those who have lived their entire life loving the Lord.

God is patient...he waits on us...

The heavenly reward he offers remains constant.

When you get to heaven it is unlikely

 that you will be judging the others you meet.

All of the trees gave much of their essence.

They had all been planted by God.

One was not better than the other...they were 

in no position to choose one to be over them.

Keep your focus on the heavenly reward.

God provides more than enough 

Blessings for all of us to get to heaven. 

~~~Peace~~~