Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler seemingly led Peter to comment that he and the rest of the twelve had left all to follow Christ and wondered what reward they would receive. Jesus’ immediate response was to speak of the time of the new birth, or regeneration, when he would be on his throne. He said the twelve would also rule at that time over the twelve tribes, or spiritual Israel (Matthew 19:23-30). They reign with Christ by reporting his will to men. All who sacrifice for Jesus will be rewarded (Matthew 19:23-20:16).
A vineyard owner went to find workers at the start of a day. They were hired for one coin. More men were hired at nine, noon, three and five. Each of these latter went, trusting the owner to give them a fair wage. Laborers were repeatedly sought because the work was ongoing, just like that of the kingdom. Workers were even hired at the eleventh hour.
Payment had to be made at day’s end (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:15). Workers were lined up with last hired first and the first hired last. No complaint was heard from those who trusted the master to pay a fair price. Each received a day’s wage for less than a day’s work. Those who worked the whole day were upset after receiving that for which they bargained, feeling they deserved more. None were justified in complaining since the lord’s money was his to dispense as he pleased. Some seemed to be tired to jealousy. As Lightfoot says, “They simply begrudged the owner’s generosity. They murmured because he had been so merciful to others.”
Jealousy is a sin of the heart, corrupting from within (Mark 7:15-23; Proverbs 28:22). Jesus seemed to be stressing the importance of the heart in working for God. Some worked to get what they deserved. The rest labored trusting the one who hired them would give a fair wage.
We can work for the Lord today. Our labor is done because it is our duty. No one can truthfully demand eternal life when we stand at the judgment bar. Instead, we need to exhibit a willingness to work and trust in the Lord to give us a reward far better than we deserve (Matthew 7:21; Romans 6:23).
Gary C. Hampton