Concordia Lutheran Church
January 31, 2010
Is God Fair?
Matthew 20:1-16
† IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THE MESSIAH †
May the gifts and the peace of God our Father, and our Master, Jesus Christ be poured into your lives, as you work in His Kingdom!
Parabolic Treatment of Parables!
I have had a hard time with this message this week. No matter how many times I keep going back to “the rule” about understanding parables, I keep going back to the concept of my title. Is God Fair?
I’ve been asked the question a few times by different people this week, or perhaps it is asked – “how can this be right? How can this situation be fair? How could God allow this?” And the answers I know, even though I know they are right, seem shallow as they are said to eyes that have more water flowing through them, than our flood channel did last week.
As I look at this passage, if I reduce it to a lesson on morality, if I try to garnish from it ethics, or a code of justice, I fail. It goes so far beyond these things, that it seems to contradict them. As one person replied to my question, “fairness is a human concept and does not apply to God. Whatever He does, is right.” Hands down, the best answer Tom.
God isn’t fair, He is generous.
And this parable isn’t about the question of fairness, it’s about the outrageous generosity and love of God, as He invites people to share in His kingdom – together.
The basic rule about parables – they exist for one teachable moment, one reason. They don’t exist to offer social commentary. In this parable, that one moment is seen in the amazing question Jesus asks…. “Friend… do you begrudge my generosity?”
Do We Begrudge Jesus His Generosity?
Jonah
The Prodigal Brother
The Island of Misfit Toys
Does it make sense, that someone would begrudge God the opportunity to show someone else His love? Could we find ourselves jealous, because God’s love is poured out on someone we find not worthy of such love?
Before we get all righteous, and think that we would never, ever deny God that opportunity, let’s consider that scripture is chock full of such examples.
Start with the prodigal’s brother – who got ticked off, because his father wanted to celebrate the return of the long messed up little brother. He resented his father’s love, shown to his own brother!
Hey, God’s people would never be like that – right? Especially those in leadership – right? Well listen to these words,
“He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness! 3 "So, God, if you won't kill them, kill me! I'm better off dead!" 4 God said, "What do you have to be angry about?" 5 But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.” Jnh 4:2 (MSG)
Talk about someone not just upset – but bitterly angry about God’s grace…
We never ever get that way… or do we?
What about when we have trouble welcoming someone into “our” group? Maybe they did something to us in the past, and we are unwilling to forgive – do we begrudge God sharing with them the same love that He pours out on us? Maybe they are a bit different than us, does that mean we walk away from them, and not share the same concern for them, that we do for those….like us? Or maybe even recognizing the differences becomes so awkward, we walk away - rather than rejoice that God will give us the love, the grace, and the strength to do His work, to show them His love, and His mercy.
The funny this is, in this vineyard, the work isn’t pulling out weeds, or harvesting grapes to make good wine, the work is minister to each other, assuring each other of God’s love, His grace, His forgiveness.
No matter who they are. No matter how awkward it is to love them, no matter the cost to us….for our cost is nothing compared to the cost of the cross.
Or will be begrudge Jesus His generosity?
Will we resent that God has marked them as our brothers and sisters, and indeed our friends.
The Generosity – Friendship/Partnership
Do we get this?
Its not about the job
Rescued from Idleness/
At the beginning of the conversation, the master uses a unique word to address the dissatisfied workers. It is translated as friend, or comrade, but was a word that ranged from partner to brother-kinsman. It is not the word you would use for a common day laborer, but implies a stake in the work.
And that is what this parable of the Kingdom of God is about. We see it clearly in the later trips of the master to the home-depot, as he talks to those hanging out – tired, disappointed, indifferent because they haven’t been hired yet. You see it in the last group – who says – no one’s given us a reason NOT to be here.
Jesus says – get going – here is a part in my kingdom – get moving! You want a reason to be active – you want meaning in your life? Come into my kingdom – you are welcome to be a part – and more a partner.
This parable isn’t about workplace fairness, it is about the kingdom of God, and who is invited into it.
It’s not about fair employment practices, for God simply offers a part in the kingdom to all who would be part.
An Answer to Prayer - HELP
There was once an island, a pretty famous place because of the role it played in the story of a very short dentist, and a friendly snow monster, and well, a unemployed reindeer. The island of misfit toys it was called – and it is a picture of the church.
No one here is perfect – no one here functions perfectly – no one here has been exempt from feeling broken. Though perhaps we think we are alone in those feelings, if we actually get to know each other – we aren’t. And every misfit person in Cerritos and La Palma and Cypress belongs here. Even the ones from our past, even those we have trouble understanding in the present.
We might even need some supernatural help from the Master to accept them. We have that, by the way, for He has deemed them acceptable. He did so, in the very way He deemed you acceptable – by dieing on the cross. And so we find them kneeling with us, at this same altar, for the same reason – they need the Bread of Life, they need the Blood of the covenant – that covers their sins…and ours.
And we need to minister to each other – we need to serve each other, to love each other. More than anything now, we need to continue to serve each other, constantly reminded that the Lord called us together as His people, as His friends.
It is not a command in the sense of Law, to love one another. It’s not about justifying our own actions, or our place or that of others. It is of the deepest grace that God places us together,
For as Tom says, God is about fairness, He is about righteousness.
His righteousness, promised to us – given to us, even though we don’t deserve it.
As we enjoy His peace, His incomprehensible peace, let us share it with all of those who need it. We can do this, for our hearts and minds are kept safe in that peace, by Christ Jesus Himself.
AMEN?
