Christ seeks those who will receive him and respond to his message with faith and in obedience. He gives eternal life to those who receive his offer of salvation. Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. The followings are discussed: Responding Early and Late, All Who Respond Are Rewarded, and Ignoring Christ's Call is Inexcusable.
Responding Early and Late: Whether the response to Christ's call to God's service is early or late, what matters is the faithful service. The landowner in this parable employed labourers for a day job in his farm and agreed with them for the wage. Knowing that the harvest was plenty and workers were few, the man went out to employ more labourers. He discovered there were people who were willing to work but were not employed. He then begin to employ them to work with those employed earlier. The labourers who were employed at different times - 6am, 9am, 12 noon, 3pm and 5pm spent their work day labouring for the wages (Mathew 20: 1-2). God continually engages those who are willing to spread the gospel, and will give them eternal reward. The roles played by the labourers depict how people should be committed to the Lord's service. We must identify our calling, do the work and use the resources to get good results.
All Who Respond are Rewarded: At the end of the work, presumed to be (6pm) the landowner paid the labourers as promised. He started the payment from those hired last to those hired first, and gave them the same wage irrespective of the time spent doing the work (Matthew 20:8 ). All who respond to Christ by faith and act in obedience will receive eternal reward. Salvation does not depend on work, but on genuine faith that produces good work (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:14-17; Galatians 2:16). God rewards faithful labourers.
When the landowner rewarded all who laboured with the same wage those who started early grumbled, saying they worked throughout the hot day and were given the same wage as those who had worked only an hour. But the landowner reminded them that the wage was based on the agreement (Mathew 20:9-16). This parable shows that salvation can't be pursued by work only. It involves living faith and obedience to God's command. God rewards faithful labour. Rather than focusing on the rewards for doing the work our action must show that we love God and do His work diligently. Salvation doesn't depend on when we started walking with God and how far we have gone; it has do with our faith and diligent service. God rewards the motives for doing His work rather than the amount of work, time and energy spent.
Ignoring Christ's Call is Inexcusable: God has called all people to His salvation and wants everyone to respond positively to the call (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Jesus used the parable of Great Banquet to show that God's call to salvation is universal (Luke 14:15-17). Those who respond positively to the call will receive the eternal reward while those who reject it risk eternal tragedy. The excuses given for not attending the banquet may be seen as good reasons but were not valid. There is no valid reason for turning down God's offer of salvation (Luke 14:18-24).
The man in the parable wasn't happy when he learned that his guests rejected the invitation and didn't come for the banquet. He then extended his invitation to the poor, the needy and the disable. These groups of people are described as those despised by the Jews. He also extended the invitation to the people on the roads and lanes outside the town. These groups are described as the gentiles who were rejected by those originally invited to the banquet. This reminds us that the offer of salvation is open to all kinds and groups of people. Those who want to enter the kingdom of God must accept the invitation (the gospel), respond to Christ and receive his offer of eternal life. Lesson texts: Mathew 20:1-16; Luke 14:15-24
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