In our L3 this week, we have continued our reading through the Gospel of Matthew. In chapters 19-20, Jesus presents a controversial, and sometimes misunderstood, topic regarding one’s status in the kingdom of heaven. He begins with the teaching about “The Rich Young Man” (or “Ruler,” as many versions title this section). In it, Jesus calls this man to sell everything and “give to the poor,” so he would “have treasure in heaven.” At this statement, the rich young man went away sorrowful, “for he had great possessions” (Mt. 19:21-22, ESV).

He then discusses the difficulty of a rich person entering the kingdom of heaven, and how it is possible only through the power of God (Mt. 19:26). He then addresses the situation of His disciples, who had left everything to follow Him, and says they (along with anyone else who has given up the things of this world to follow Him) will receive a great inheritance and eternal life (Mt. 19:29). Essentially, what Jesus is saying up to this point is that the ones to cling to, and depend on, only Him—the ones who are attached more to Christ than any of the things of this world—will inherit eternal life. We cannot have it both ways, as Jesus pointed out in Matthew 6:24 – “No one can have two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Then comes the clincher in verse 30: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Many of us have heard this phrase frequently over the years, but don’t let that minimize the shock of this verse. At first glance, this should be offensive to those who are considered “high” or “rulers” in this world. On the other hand, this is an amazing and beautiful statement for those who are “low” and “servants” in this world.

Jesus then elaborates with a parable, where workers who were brought in to work the vineyard throughout the day. Some started around 6 AM, others at 9 AM, others at 12 noon, and the last came in at 5 PM. At the end of the day, it came time for all of the workers to receive their pay for their labor. The master had the foreman begin with those who started at “the eleventh hour” (about 5 PM), and worked toward those who started earlier. As the payment proceeded, the ones who worked earlier began to expect more; much to their chagrin, they received the same as the late arrivals. Regardless of how long they worked, they all received the same amount of pay. Those who had worked the longest were irritated with the master for his seeming injustice toward them, paying everyone the same amount. The master’s response echoes the shocking phrase: “So the last will be first, and the first last.” His choice to pay equally was a matter of his generosity. So it is with God and His people.

The tendency in the past has been to interpret this as, “those who are the poor will be rich, and the rich will be poor,” or some other type of reversal of the structure of the world. Instead, it is apparent from this parable that the “high” or “first” will be lowered, and the “low” or “last” will be lifted—to equality. First or last, last or first, it doesn’t matter. They will be equals in the kingdom of God. The reward is eternal life; regardless of when we come into God’s “vineyard” as His followers and servants, we are all dependent on His grace and generosity.

May we always be grateful for the grace and generosity of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has granted us eternal life through His sacrificial death on the cross in our place.

In the Son,

Bill Horn
FBC Worship & Arts Pastor