Psalm 145.1-8, Matthew 20:1-16, and Philippians 1:21-30
Heaven is like a vineyard owner going out to find workers. There is a generous landlord there. Also, workers are promised a reward whenever they come to the vineyard and work. Anyone can come to the vineyard. Instead, they must be called by the master. It is a place you must go to, even if it is very late. If you look closely at Jesus’ parable, the vineyard owner recruits workers and sends them to the vineyard early in the morning, at 9 AM, Noon, 3 PM, 5 PM, and in the evening. We can think of our lives this way, too. Some people start a life of faith at birth, in elementary school, as young adults, in their 40s or 60s, and even past 80. When I was a student minister, a teacher asked me this question. “Pastor, if someone who has attended church since childhood and someone who believed in Jesus right before they died both go to heaven equally, isn’t that unfair?” That is correct. If you think about it with human reason, you might consider it unfair. However, whether that person goes to heaven or not is a matter for God to decide. I am not a judge. Instead, one fact remains. The earlier we start our life of faith, the more spiritual training we undergo. Sometimes, you may have to go through more sacrifice, service, and conflict. However, they can be thankful for grace and rest because they believe in God. Christians who attended church from a very young age can simultaneously enjoy the privilege of living with the hope of heaven from that time on. They live acknowledging God’s existence. They live with a perspective on the created world God made. The belief that the Almighty is with them gives them the strength to rise again when they encounter the rough waves of life.
The same is true of the words in the Gospel of Matthew. In some ways, the person who came when the vineyard owner hired workers earliest in the morning would have worked for a very long time. From this worker’s perspective, it may seem unfair that he, who has worked since morning, and the worker hired in the evening receive the same pay. However, the worker hired early in the morning enjoyed a salary plus the sense of security of being chosen all day long. The worker who has been working since morning gained peace of mind knowing that he can support his family through his work today. Conversely, the worker hired in the evening would have been trembling with anxiety all day. If he cannot find work and therefore cannot even earn money to buy groceries, his family will suffer from hunger. It is hard enough to go hungry alone, but it is even harder to watch my family go hungry. However, the vineyard owner is very generous and gives all the workers the same wages to live on. However, the worker who came to the vineyard early in the morning is envious. That is correct. In this world, faith comes with responsibility, and envy and jealousy sometimes follow. Other people’s lives may seem smooth, and in some ways, someone might feel that donating to the church is a waste. There may be people who envy those who use that money to increase their wealth and do not participate in a communal religious life, only to confess their faith right before death. But God knows. He will judge, and perhaps we cannot remember everything, but we have already received much. It is something very simple but very precious. It is Jesus Christ. My heart feels warm when I think of Jesus’ love. As I meditate on His devotion toward me, I am also challenged and motivated to live an altruistic life like Jesus. Therefore, beloved, let us all live with Jesus’ love and the generosity God shows.
Secondly, let us conduct ourselves in a manner of the Gospel. Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi regarding the life of the saints. He expresses his hope for progress in faith and, at the same time, for joy in the faith. Philippi was a Roman colony where many Roman citizens lived. Therefore, emperor worship and pride in the empire were strong there. Because it was like a small Rome, the church in Philippi continued to suffer persecution and exclusion. Within the church, too, the division intensified because of conflicts among the leaders. The church faced many issues both inside and outside. It was an environment of double and triple persecution from the Romans. However, even amid the crisis, they supported Paul, who was imprisoned in a Roman prison, and soothed their worries. Even though he was facing a life-threatening situation, he was actually more worried about the church and believers he first pioneered, and he was reassuring them. “For to me, to live is Christ. To die is gain.” I think it is a very beautiful and bold confession. “Christ lives within me.” I hope that we can all make this confession. I pray that as my children look at my life, they will want to see Christ, and that my friends will look at me and hope to become Christians. In fact, humans are very imperfect. So sometimes they make mistakes with their words, and sometimes they speak ill of others. I have one thought that I have had for a long time. The point is that it would be good if Christians used more positive language about the church and its members when they are with their children or acquaintances. This is because I have sometimes seen it become a major stumbling block for non-believers when they go to church or start a life of faith. Therefore, I believe that the more mature a person is in their faith and the more grace they have received, the more carefully they should speak. This is because it is living in a manner worthy of the Gospel. I hope you become a people who encourage our neighbours and lift our members. I hope that your very existence will be good news. Therefore, I pray that we become a Knox congregation where faith grows every day and we share the joy of the life of faith. Amen.