Which parable of Jesus is your favorite? I have one. It is the “Parable of the Workers Paid Equally,” found in Matthew 20:1-16. The parable can be summarized as different groups of workers started at different times (working more or less than their counterparts), but everyone was paid the same wages at the end of the day.
The reason why this particular parable is my favorite is because I am the worker that started in the middle of the day. I was an adult with kids before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Even though I didn’t work for God as a child, a teen, a college student, a newlywed or a new mother, I still receive the full wages of heaven at the end of my life.
I distinctly remember the feeling I had when I first read this parable. It was relief that I hadn’t blown my opportunity with God. Of course I missed out on many blessings along the way, but I still get to share in the biggest reward of all.
Sometimes, I act like I have to work twice as hard to make up for lost time. But this parable allows me to relax. God is more interested in my future with Him than in my past without Him. This parable reminds me that we are never too old, too late, or too lame to come to Jesus and say, “Put me to work in your vineyard. I want you to be my boss. I can’t wait to be paid in blessings.”
Matthew 20:12-14
‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered on of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
Very comforting reminder, Debbie.
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Donna, that was the overwhelming feeling when I read this parable for the first time: comfort.
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Reblogged this on Freedomborn … Aussie Christian Focus and commented:
I have always regretted the 30years I wasted as an Atheist after being deceived that I came from an Ape when I was a young Teenager, of course God showed me why that was impossible when I became a Christian (see link below) but at the time I believed it and messed up my life big time believing there was no consequences for the wrong I did, if it made me happy who cares.
Tonight I was reading a Post Debbie gave me the link for and her message has touched my heart greatly and has given me much Joy, yes I knew I was forgiven but I could have been serving my Abba Father all those wasted years, I felt I had cheated Him, but after reading Debbie’s Message, Wow!
Thank you Debbie and bless you for your wonderful Godly focus – Anne.
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No Missing Link- https://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2015/10/03/wow-a-new-missing-link-has-been-found/
Blessings – Anne
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Annie, You amaze me with how you can recall prior posts and further back than the prior year! “Oldie, goldies” are fun to share again. (I left a comment when I first saw it in October!)
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I will respond to the other links you gave me Debbie in the near future but I did want to share my favorite Parable with you and that is The Prodigal Son. It’s a powerful focus on how God disciplines us, we are first separated from Him than we reap the evil we sow until l we come to heart repentance and than Wow what a welcome Home!
Blessings -Annie
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We are all prodigal sons (and daughters) who our Father in heaven is calling us home (to Him) and anxiously awaiting our arrival!
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“God is more interested in my future with Him than in my past without Him. ” Well said. Thanks for this.
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You welcome Victor. It was the work of the Holy Spirit to summarize it that way! 🙂
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I enjoyed your thoughts Debbie on Matt 20 , particularly ,’God is more concerned with my future with Him , than my past without Him ‘ ‘That’s good meaty teaching , thank you Debbie.
Blessings
Ron
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Ron, You welcome! It is more than teaching. It is comfort, reassurance, new mercies, and a future filled with good things from God! (So, in other words, it is also dessert! 🙂 )
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