Matthew 20: 1-16
"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Jesus begins and ends the parable of the landowner with this seemingly contradictory statement. Here Jesus sheds light on one of the great mysteries of the gospel; that God in His sovereignty chose to admit the Gentiles into His Kingdom and give us equal privileges with the Jews. He is revealing that even though the Jews were called first God is sovereign in salvation, and we all receive much more than we deserve. The prominent feature that should mark the worker in His vineyard is one of grateful humility for even being called...for many are called but few are chosen. But that was not the response Jesus received. Human nature or the flesh, as the Bible calls it, has a way of twisting and perverting what is right. This parable still speaks to us today about God's sovereignty and our acceptance of His right to rule in any manner He chooses. Do we accept His ways or do we grumble and complain thinking we are treated unfairly. Of course it helps to understand that He is good and that all things work together for good to those that love Him and are called for His purposes. So today instead of being angry and upset that we were treated unfairly, lets humbly rejoice for someone else that they received a blessing or we may go last.
