“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
What did Jesus know of vineyards?
Matthew has 10 examples
Mark 4
Luke 7
And, of course, Jesus' first sign was to make wine - for Mary.
Jesus for His Joy in life was known, and referred sarcastically as the Pharisees proclaimed Him to be a drinker and a glutton - Matthew 11:19. Jesus lived the goodness of God in Genesis 1. Jesus was part of this life.
The times required the drinking of wine.
1 Timothy 5:23
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
This was practical.
And Jesus spoke of working hard and used analogies people could relate to their lives.
I was looking a few years ago at Rick Warren's Facebook. The complaints were heated and Rick Warren specifically asked people not to argue on his FB page.
The Complaints on Rick Warrens FB page ran like this:
First Person: I really don't like Pastor Warren to refer or to sermonize the Old Testament. The ways are brutal and unloving. Paster Warren should stick only to the New Testament.
Second Reader: I object to the parts of the Bible written by Paul. Surely, Jesus was unknown to Paul and we should only adhere to the Gospels of Jesus.
Reader 3: Oh, many parts of the New Testament are quite questionable. But even so, we see Jesus acting with such hostility in the Gospels. We should realize God is only Love and only proclaim His mercies.
Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. His most blessings oriented Words are found surrounding His Laws. Hear O Israel, The Lord Thy God is One.
The Law isn't for grins. This is God putting forth "Love Thy Neighbor" as a courtesy. Keeping Peace. Encouraging Love and harmony in orderly conduct.
So let's not add to Scripture. Fully and completely saying this is not Scripture, instead let's call this a modern day parallel as our modern parable.
We can work all our lives to complain and tear the Bible down about our doubts as to Scripture and Promises. We can fully say these doubts. However, our opinions are but dust in the wind. There is one Employer in Life. And His Workers generally can't carry their own doubts and arguments forth about their own opinions longer than about 80 years.
Because the One Employer retires His Workers.
And His Words continue to go forth.
God has a little something to say about that.
Isaiah 45
Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it. 9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands '? 10"Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?'
Our words will melt away.
The Word of God endures, prospers, proclaims and will go forth to His Glory. And Jesus says this so much better:
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
And we say with relief and prayer. If GOD is for us, who can be against us. Jesus Christ be for us and guide, lead and protect us we pray. Your will be done. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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