“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.” Matthew 20:1 (NIV)
Have you ever prayed and prayed and then prayed for someone to come to know Christ … for decades? I have. I plead with God to open his eyes to the truth. I share the gospel with him. And I wait and hope that he will see the beauty of the kingdom of heaven before he dies, bowing his head to the King. I will be sad if it takes all his life to find Christ, but I want to believe that it’s never too late … even in the last minute of life.
That’s why I love the parable Jesus tells of the workers in the vineyard as recorded by his disciple Matthew (Matthew 20:1-16). On first read, the story seems absurd and totally unfair. The owner of the vineyard hires workers throughout the day, but ends up paying the same wage to each one of them at day’s end. Yes, you read that correctly. Each one gets the exact same amount, whether he worked all day or a half-day or was hired near quitting time. What? In Jesus’ parable, the workers who toiled all day in the hot sun were understandably irritated that their wages were the same as those who were hired last. I have to admit I wasn’t too thrilled with this either when I read this parable long ago. But now? Why, it’s one of my favorites.
I want all my dear ones who do not yet know Christ to come to Him, to know Him, to be saved by Him. Their time on earth is getting shorter and shorter, and my heart hurts. How I long for them to receive the free gift of eternal life before they die—even if it’s on their deathbeds. I want them to understand there really is a “kingdom of heaven” awaiting those who answer God’s call. I want that kind of grace given to them, even if they never do a single “good deed” for Him in their entire lives. Because I love them.
That’s why I love Jesus’ vineyard tale of generosity and grace! The owner chastises the grumbling workers who labored all day: “Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave to you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:14-15). Hear this. God wants to be generous. He has the right to give eternal life to those who have served Him faithfully all their lives and to those who discover in their last hours that they’ve missed the most important Truth of all. We are not saved because we do great and marvelous things for God. We are saved because He chooses to save us. Because we say yes to His invitation to come to Him. We do the good-deed stuff out of our love for Him. We serve Him because it’s our joy! And if He chooses to call a dear one to Himself at the very end of life? Praise His Name for His Mercy!
I am clinging to this story in hope for my dear one. I am so grateful I serve a generous God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your story of generosity and kindness. Thank You that You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.* Oh, Lord, You see the ones we are praying for today. Draw them to Yourself. Show them the reality of heaven. Continue to open their eyes to the truth of the unseen life with You. Father, how I praise You for Your patience with us, receiving those who, like the thief on the cross,** are slow in coming to know You. I am in awe of Your great and gracious generosity. I thank You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
*2 Peter 3:8-10, ** Luke 23:39-43
You are loved,
Sharon
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To encourage a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth that stillness and knowing God matter most—
and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
