This parable stands out because it speaks to the idea of “seniority” among the Lord’s servants as a way of illustrating the nature of the heavenly kingdom. The background is Peter’s question about the rewards he and the other apostles could expect, in view of their (perceived) sacrifices (Matthew 19:27). Jesus promises them positions of “prominence” (vs. 28), but tempers their expectations by noting that ALL who sacrifice for the sake of His kingdom should anticipate a rich reward (“an hundredfold,” vs. 29) along with eternal life. His warning should not be overlooked, however; “…many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” (vs. 30).
It is right for God’s children to anticipate the joy of eternity in His presence with eagerness, but we should be motivated by the prospect of face-to-face fellowship with Him – not an image of prominence or “prestige.” This parable thus touches something that would be offensive to the Jewish rulers and a serious challenge to first-generation Jewish Christians; the thought of Gentiles being allowed into the kingdom/ church/body of Christ. The idea of fellowship with Gentiles was surely far from the minds of the apostles, but this parable laid the groundwork for them to understand that “Jewish heritage” did not equate to “higher standing” in the kingdom of Christ.
While Jews might have felt entitled to claim “seniority” in the church because of their long national history with God, the apostles are being warned against a spirit of self-importance in the kingdom because of their early association with the Lord. (Their periodic disputes about matters of rank and position – see Mark 9:34 or Luke 9:46 – show their initial expectations of prominence and reward in Christ’s kingdom.)
The Lord presents a landowner hiring day laborers to work in his vineyard; the need for hired help suggests that it was the time of harvest, so he was focused on getting his grapes picked before they could begin spoiling. Five times he goes out to hire workers; the first men are hired shortly after sunrise and promised a typical day’s wage. The master hires more workers at 9 AM (promising “fair pay”), more at noon and 3 PM, and finally, still more at 5 PM. The workday ends about 6 PM, and the wages are paid beginning with the last men hired. There is no particular significance to the last men being paid first except that it allows the others to see what they received. Seeing them receive a full day’s wage, those who had labored from dawn expect some sort of “bonus,” and they grumble about “unfair treatment” when paid exactly what was promised. The master points this out to them, and emphasizes that his generosity toward the others was no concern of theirs; it is a measure of His goodness to the late workers, not an indication of injustice to the others. Note Jesus’ summary in verse 16; “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” The reward was not based on the workers’ length of service, but on the master’s faithfulness to the promises he made to them.
The basic point in this parable is often overlooked; Jesus requires laborers for His vineyard. Simply becoming a Christian is not an end in itself: Persistence in the faith, continued service to the King, willingness to “…go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1) are ALL necessary to obtain heaven’s reward. In Philippians 2:12, Paul urges those brethren to “… work out your own salvation,” emphasizing each Christian’s responsibility to “keep ourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21).
Next the apostles themselves are warned that there is no “seniority” or “pecking order” in the heavenly kingdom. Some Jews who obeyed the gospel brought anti-Gentile prejudices into the kingdom (cf. Acts 15), but the Lord offers NO promise of “special treatment” based on their “spiritual pedigree” (cf. Ephesians 2:11-18). Despite the unwillingness of some for Gentiles share in the blessing of salvation, God’s generosity is His own privilege; none who labor in His vineyard are entitled to criticize His kindness.
A third lesson speaks to the workers’ attitudes; those hired in the morning were motivated by the prospect of a specific wage, one “penny.” They went to work after they reached an agreement with the landowner. Those who came at later points in the day, however, worked because they trusted that the master would treat them fairly; “whatever is right I will give you.” This is the attitude of true Christian service. One who truly serves God rather than self does not do so for “pay,” because love seeks no reward. This attitude trusts God to do what is right, and contents itself with the knowledge that He is always generous to those who trust Him.
The ultimate point from this parable (vv. 14-15) is that those who serve in God’s vineyard are rewarded because of His grace – not through debt. We do not (cannot!) earn salvation any more than we “earn” the rainfall He sends on all people (Matthew 5:45). In Romans 3:23, even a “good” Jew (cf. Romans 5:7) living under Moses’ law could not claim salvation as his “right.” Like the full day’s wage given to the “5 o’clock” men, salvation is the gift of the Master’s grace, not the payment of a debt. Whether we enter the kingdom “early” or “late,” God encourages all to be faithful from that point forward, in the promise of mercy in eternity!
One final lesson should be obvious: Without labor, there is NO reward.
-Dave Rogers
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