pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: denarion


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Comparing and Contrasting

Reading: Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:12 – “These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.”

We end our week with the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The story begins with a landowner hiring workers at 6 am. It is harvest time, so extra workers are needed. He agrees to pay them a denarion for a day’s labor – 12 hours. As work progresses throughout the day, the landowner keeps thinking he needs a few more workers to complete the harvest. So at 9 am, noon, 3 pm, and even at 5 pm he hires more workers. The landowner agrees to pay each group “whatever is right.” Some will work 9 hours, some 6, some 3, and some will work just 1 hour.

The work day ends and the landowner instructs his manager to give the workers their wages – starting with those who worked one hour. They and everybody else receives a denarion. Only the workers who actually agreed to work for a denarion are upset about their pay. They grumble against the landowner, saying, “These who were hired last worked one hour, and they received the same pay as we did even though we had to work the whole day in the hot sun.” This seems so unfair, so unjust in their minds.

At times we too can struggle with the grace, generosity, love… that God gives to others. By comparison we think we are more faithful, harder working, and, therefore, are more deserving of these free gifts from God. We grumble – always to ourselves and sometimes to God – about how unfair or unjust it all is. In these moments, may we remember that we are all on our own unique journeys of faith and that we all receive just what we need from our loving, generous, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in those moments when we are tempted to compare and contrast ourselves with others, remind us first that we have an audience of one: you. And then remind us, O God, of the abundant love, grace, mercy, and more that you abundantly pour into our lives. Amen.


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So It Was… So It Must Be

Reading: Matthew 19-20

Matthew 20:26-27 – “Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave.”

Today’s readings center on the upside-down and countercultural life that Jesus calls his followers to. He first addresses divorce in an exchange with the Pharisees. They want to know if Jesus thinks it is ok to divorce one’s wife for any reason. The fact is the Law has been watered down to accommodate human desires. Jesus goes back to Genesis, declaring God’s intent: “Humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”

After blessing the children because “the kingdom belongs to people like these children,” Jesus encounters a rich man. He wants to know what “good thing” he must do to have eternal life. He’s kept the commandments, but feels like he’s missing something. That tug on the heart is there. Jesus tells him that to be “complete” he must go and sell all, giving the money to the poor. He cannot do this. Saddened, he goes away. Peter asks about the disciples leaving all for Jesus. The reward will be great for those who leave home, family… to follow Jesus.

To perhaps temper this reward mentality Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. An owner hires workers early in the morning to work for one denarion, a typical day’s wage. He also hires at 9, noon, 3, and 5. At the end of the day the owner instructs his manager to work backwards. He first pays those who’ve worked an hour a denarion. The all-day workers also receive a denarion. They grumble, thinking they deserve more. They are resentful of the owner’s generosity. So it is with us sometimes as we see God freely granting mercy.

After again predicting his death and resurrection, James and John’s mother requests places of supreme honor in heaven for her sons. Perhaps she thinks they’ve given up the most to follow Jesus. Her request is denied. Her asking angers the rest of the 12. Jesus calls them all in and tells them, “Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave.” So it was with Jesus. So it must be with us.

Prayer: Lord God, again and again today we hear the calls to place both you and others before self, to be humble and generous, to honor you in all we do. When we seek to walk in these ways we can bump up against the ways of the world that elevate self as #1 and preach “Gather, gather, gather!” In those moments of temptation, remind us of our call to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, following his example of servant to all. Amen.