The last will be first, and the first will be last

RE: Parables in the Bible (Matthew 20):

It has been said a parable is “an extended simile or a metaphor that explains aspects of spiritual truth in everyday terms.” The word parable describes the act of placing two objects or ideas side by side for comparison. They allow us to see ourselves in contrast to other people.

Christ’s use of parables is often commended to preachers and teachers today as an alternate way to reveal a truth; however, Jesus used parables primarily to conceal or hide His message from casual, indifferent, or unbelieving hearers. “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given,” Christ declared (Matt. 13:11 KJV).

The Parable of the Generous Landowner and the Laborers in the Vineyard:

The parable is part of Jesus’ reply to Peter, which begins in Matthew chapter 19, verse 28. The message of the parable can be summarized in this statement: The operative principle in the kingdom of heaven is not merit but grace. 

The Apostle Paul’s words reiterate: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. …not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8–9); however, many assume that we earn God’s blessings by our works — apart from God’s grace.

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard teaches that not only our salvation, but also our entire Christian lives are to be lived on the basis of God’s grace. Also the parable teaches about two amazing qualities of grace: the abundant generosity of God’s grace, and His sovereignty in dispensing it. But its that tricky verse, what does it mean?

“The last will be first, and the first will be last”

What does that verse mean to you?

Examples:

Modern Advertising: tells us that it’s all about me and that attitude is everything.

Could it imply that some people connect right away with new information that may take others longer, depending on their relative experience? No, the slow are not to become first. The last are to become first.

Does it enforce the concept that God is the one before whom all accounts will be settled?

The workers who came later were not hired because they were lazy. They were ready to work but none would hire them. These workers were economically and socially disadvantaged. Is this parable a lesson on social/political status?

Mary said, “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.” (Luke 1). Many see the socio-economic ramifications of the parable. Those with low rank in the present, rise to the top in heaven.

The "day" in the parable can be seen as a typical “lifetime” of the person, if we read it chronologically. Each can be called to work for the Kingdom at any time. God is in charge of the timing of our Kingdom work.

Many believe the vineyard was an analogy for the people of Israel (see Isaiah 5 or Psalm 80). The vineyard was a symbol of Israel and its promised prosperity.  With this knowledge the message of the parable seems clearer.  The workers who come late still get to take part in the reward of the vineyard and its owner. Is Jesus communicating a radical message to the leaders and the people of Israel that says, “The Kingdom of God has been opened up to the Gentiles (called) too.”  Further, “the nation of Israel may have been first (chosen), but that doesn’t mean that others cannot receive the blessing.” Does Jesus suggest that the ones who show up later, the Gentiles, have just as prominent a place in the kingdom of God as the Jews? That would have been culturally outrageous to the Jews at the time! Jews thought dirty dogs were better than Gentiles.

Argued another way, the context implies the 12 disciples correspond to the workers hired at the beginning of the day, akin to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Those hired later correspond to other people who became Jesus’ disciples later in His ministry. The timing there is in question for the earliest and heartiest of the disciples.

What a great reversal was what Christ did on the cross:

Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Paul quoted in Philippians). Jesus was the god-man who had to become last, so that we would be first. That is why it is called a great reversal.

Some questions for my readers:

1. Where do you see yourself in this parable of the laborers in the vineyard? What does it mean, “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

2. Isn’t it like an egotistical human to question who serves best? who serves most? who then gets the greatest reward?

3. What is your attitude toward the owner of the vineyard? Do you expect the Lord to do what’s right? Is this a story that makes you uncomfortable?

What two attitudes are shown here?:

Generosity—by the landowner in how he pays the laborers, and 

Jealousy—people who worked there all day and got paid the same; there is no room in the kingdom of heaven for those with either "a mercenary spirit" or "an envious spirit."

The system of law is easy to figure out: you get what you deserve!

The system of grace is foreign to us: God deals with us according to who He is, not according to who we are.

Isn’t this parable about servants. And how a servant/leader views the “day’s wage” we get for our service? Could it be all about who gets the credit?

• All our service is already due to God; it belongs to Him anyway.
• The ability to serve God is the gift of His grace.
• The call to serve God is the gift of His grace.
• Every opportunity to serve is a gift of His grace.
• Being in the right state of mind to do the Lord’s work is a gift of grace.
• Success in serving God is the gift of His grace.

©Mark H. Pillsbury