Laborers in the Vineyard

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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The Two Classes of Laborers
It is essential to observe that this parable in Matthew 20 relates to service, for the laborers are sent into the vineyard. There is also no doubt that it sprang out of Peter’s question in the previous chapter: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?” In reply, the Lord graciously told His disciples that they should have a special place in the kingdom and should sit on 12 Thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel; moreover, that everyone who had forsaken anything for His name’s sake should be abundantly recompensed. He then added the significant warning that many who were first should be last, and the last first. This He proceeded to explain in the parable in chapter 20, “for,” He says, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard” (Matt. 20:11For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)). We have then a description of the several laborers, with the different hours at which they were hired. But, in fact, there are only two classes—those who agreed upon the amount they were to receive, and those who left themselves in the hands of the Master to give what he deemed right. The former, we apprehend, are the “first,” and the latter the “last” of Matthew 19:3030But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Matthew 19:30). No doubt the former also represent the spirit of Peter, as expressed in his question, “What shall we have therefore?” The Lord thus brings before us the right and wrong spirit of service; the wrong spirit finding its motive in expected reward, whereas the right spirit draws the spring of its activity from the will of the Master and is content to leave every other question to the grace which has called. The one thinks of the value of the labor rendered, the other of the Master for whom the service is done. Those who agreed for their penny were, in a word, legal servants, whereas those who left themselves to the One who had called them were under the power of grace. To the first, the labor was a means of recompense; to the last, it was a privilege, and hence they prize it in and for itself, knowing something of the grace that had bestowed it.
The Sovereign Rights of Grace
All this is brought out when the steward settles with the laborers. In obedience to his lord, he begins with the last, and everyone received a penny. This excited the anger of the first, for if the last received a penny, surely they were entitled to more. The answer was that they had received what they bargained for, that the master had the right to do what he would with his own, and that their eye was not to be evil because he was good. The exhibition of grace, with all its sovereign rights, only excited the envy of the natural heart. Hence, we see the enmity of the Jew when the gospel was proclaimed to the Gentile, and thus, though the “first,” he also became the “last.” So with these laborers: Those who went to labor last in the vineyard left the master’s presence satisfied with his goodness, and so became “first,” while those who were first in their labors left his presence with murmuring in their hearts and on their lips, still strangers to grace. Hence the conclusion is: “So the last shall be first [referring to Matt. 19:3030But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Matthew 19:30)], and the first last: for many be called [as all these laborers had been], but few chosen.”
E. Dennett (adapted)