8 Sep 2014; Mat 20
In this chapter Jesus spoke about a parable and a story on the concern on the first will be last and the last will be first.
A vineyard owner looked for laborers. The one who are called first are paid 1 denarius and the one who called to work at the eleventh hour were also paid 1 denarius.
On another occasion, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, asked Jesus which of her 2 sons will be seated at the right hand of God.
In both situations, Jesus answered is the last will be the first. The first will be the last.
The economics of the kingdom of God is very different. It is not about working more and accumulating more. Remember the story of Mary and Marter. You don't really have to work, it is about knowing when to send time with Jesus.
The laborers need to be at the marketplace in order to be called. When you are first called, you followed the owner to work. If you choose to wait, you will not know when or will the owner be back. The pay back is the same - the reward of having to work at the vineyard. The payment is secondary.
Jesus answered the mother that it is the Father in heaven that determine who is seated at His right hand. The kingdom of God is not about the seat of honour. There is only one seat of honour, and only one can be seated there. But the kingdom of heaven is about "for all".
In earthly economics, the price is only for the best, the most, the strong, the smartest, the top. There is no place for the rest. But the kingdom of God welcome all.
As such, it is about knowing and accepting to be with Jesus. It is not about the seat of honour or the amount of pay. The first gets to spend more time in relationship with the Father.
Like Paul, who pour out his life for the sake of Christ and consider all things worthless. His pursuit is for and for one thing, the price of winning the race in the kingdom. There is more than one winner.
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