The Lord of the Harvest

Matthew 20:1-3 (Net Bible) 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 And after agreeing with the workers for the standard wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When it was about nine o’clock in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work.

Matthew 20:4-6 4 He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and I will give you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. When he went out again about noon and three o’clock that afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 And about five o’clock that afternoon he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why are you standing here all day without work?’

Matthew 20:7-9 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go and work in the vineyard too.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and give the pay starting with the last hired until the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each received a full day’s pay.

Matthew 20: And when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more. But each one also received the standard wage. 11 When they received it, they began to complain against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last fellows worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who bore the hardship and burning heat of the day.’

Matthew 20: And the landowner replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn’t you agree with me to work for the standard wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. I want to give to this last man the same as I gave to you. 15 Am I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Purpose of this parable: Jesus explains the statement he made in 19:30 and 20:16: “So the last will be first, and the first last. Jesus explains the statement he made in 19:30 and 20:16: “So the last will be first, and the first last. #1: Israelites who were first chosen by God and they rejected to follow God’s laws and Jesus. God then turned to the gentiles. #2: The one who is willing to give up earthly things in order to follow Jesus and work for him. He still needs to work patiently until the pay day (the regeneration).

Key Messages of this parable: Are you still standing around without work? It is a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven. How can we inherit the eternal life? Are you still standing around without work? It is a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven. How can we inherit the eternal life? We will receive the same pay check (eternal life) from the Lord if we enter into his vineyard (Kingdom of Heaven) We will receive the same pay check (eternal life) from the Lord if we enter into his vineyard (Kingdom of Heaven) Work hard to reap in his vineyard – the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few Work hard to reap in his vineyard – the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few The King of the Kingdom of Heaven The King of the Kingdom of Heaven

The King of Heaven: He is the Lord of the Harvest – he desires to have a good harvest He is the Lord of the Harvest – he desires to have a good harvest He is the landowner – he went out by himself five times to call for workers He is the landowner – he went out by himself five times to call for workers He is a fair and generous master He is a fair and generous master His is a grace Giver – grace in all and grace for all His is a grace Giver – grace in all and grace for all

Free Grace according to John Wesley: Prevenient (preparing) grace - grace that is coming before Prevenient (preparing) grace - grace that is coming before Accepting (justifying) grace - conversion Accepting (justifying) grace - conversion Sustaining (sanctifying) grace – toward perfection Sustaining (sanctifying) grace – toward perfection

Harvest Aessessment Hour begin to work Satisfaction level to be hired Working hours Hardship index 6:00 am Satisfied to be hired 12 hours 100% 9:00 am Very satisfied to be hired 9 hours 75% 12:00 pm Happy to be hired 6 hours 50% 3:00 pm Very happy to be hired 3 hours 25% 5:00 pm Unexpected to be hired 1 hour 8.3%

Harvest Assessment Hour begin to work Fruit reaped Working hours lost Satisfaction level of the Lord of the Harvest 6:00 am 60 baskets 0 hours 100% 9:00 am 45 baskets 3 hours 75% 12:00 pm 30 baskets 6 hours 50% 3:00 pm 15 baskets 9 hours 25% 5:00 pm 5 baskets 11 hour 8.3%

What can we learn from this harvest assessment ? Unexpected to be hired at 5:00 pm – the satisfaction level must be highest More hours you have worked, more fruits you will reap The satisfaction level of the Lord of Harvest will be highest to those who worked longer hours and harder for his vineyard

Two Essential Questions: 1. Are you still standing around outside the vineyard? Inherit the eternal life 2. Are you reaping for our gracious master? Bearing fruits