"I Wish To Give To This Last...As To You"

"Take what is yours and go your way.  I wish to give to this last man the same as to you."  (Matthew 20:14)

This is not a passage to promote socialism.  

The lesson here is very much to the point of our relationship with and in the Blessed Trinity.  The parable is about, "laborers for His vineyard."  Jesus tells us of people who came to work in the beginning of the day and those who came just before "quitting time."  They all receive the same "wage." 

It does not matter when you and I came to Jesus.  It does not matter whether we preached to thousands or live in some very remote, sparsely populated location in the earth and encounter few.  Rich who gave much, poor who could give but little, great "talent," or little, none of this matters.  Why?  Our basic, fundamental "wage"/reward is the same, Our Lord Jesus Himself.  Yes, there is the teaching of, "You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things...."  And many theologians believe there will be degrees of rewards for the Followers of Jesus.  This does seem to be the case from what I read in the, "Words of God."

Who can argue, however, with the fact that the Great Reward of the Believer is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself?  Ruling over many nations, a better "seat" in Heaven, are secondary to Him Who is The Reward, the great "payment" for our sojourn through this present age, Jesus.  No, I do not want to live my life with a just-get-by mentality.  In the words of the hymn, I want to "work for the night is coming," I want to do as Paul said to one of the members in the Colossian Church, "take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."  But all of this is leading you and me to, "Face to face with Christ, My Savior, face to face, what will it be?"!  I shall be glad if all humanity receives such a "wage."

Father, in Jesus' Name, to be with and in You for eternity---- no greater reward.  And, I do not resent those who come at five o'clock either.  Amen.

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Shelly had her last doctor's visit this morning.  She and baby are doing great.  Our new gift should arrive sometime next week.  We thank all who have been praying for her and the baby (and us).  Please continue.  We will let you know when the new life appears.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2