For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Matt. 20
What is the point of the parable of the workers (v. 1-16)? How is God like the owner of the vineyard? This is a difficult parable because it challenges our sense of fairness. I actually think that is the point. After the rich man in Matthew 19 was unwilling to leave his wealth behind to follow Jesus, Peter said, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matt. 19:27). This parable is part of Jesus’ response.
I don’t know that I fully understand everything that Jesus was saying with this parable, but two things stand out in my mind. First, with Peter’s question in mind, it seems that our sense of fairness is based on our self-centered human perspective. The master in the parable asked, “Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matt. 20:15b). Generosity runs counter to our idea of fairness. It is based on the character of a merciful God. Second, God is sovereign. As the master in the parable said, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” (Matt. 20:15a). We need to get it in our heads (and hearts) that God makes the rules and God is never wrong.
Both of these points tell me that I need to set my sense of fairness aside. I need to let go of my pride and take up God’s spirit of generosity. I don’t need to worry about what I get, either now or in eternity because I know God will take care of me. Thankfully, He is a God of mercy rather than fairness.
Deut. 21-22
How did God protect women captured in war? Why? What is our responsibility when we see a neighbor in need? So many of these Old Testament laws seem to be about doing what is right by others despite our own personal feelings or biases. Sounds a lot like fairness. I just got done saying that our sense of fairness is based on our self-centered human perspective, but now I see the Mosaic Law telling us to be fair to others. What gives?
The thought this triggered in me is that fairness is one step above our natural human inclination which is, of course, completely self-serving. This makes perfect sense when we consider the purposes of the Mosaic Law. The Law created a contrast between the way the Godless nations did things and the way God’s people were to do things. In doing so, it revealed the self-serving nature of humanity. So we became aware of our sinfulness. The Law also showed the path toward righteousness and holiness in doing things differently. In doing so, it revealed our inability to be either on our own efforts. We cannot overcome our human nature.
Ironically, all of this also reveals God’s mercy. We learn from Jesus in the New Testament that God’s righteousness and holiness actually go far beyond the requirements of the law. The parable we read in Matthew 20 is an example of that. But the Law was about our own efforts, and, in His mercy, God knew that our efforts would never be enough. So instead of requiring generosity, He only required fairness. When Jesus came, He not only fulfilled the Law, He surpassed it. And now that we have God’s Spirit dwelling in us because of Jesus, we can – and should – do the same.