Laborers in the Kingdom

MEMORY VERSE: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:28

MATTHEW 20:1-16

OUR Memory Text highlights the important point of this lesson, which is service in the Lord’s cause—the service of the Lord the brethren, and all, as we have opportunity. (Gal. 6:10) Those who are invited to joint-heirship with Christ, and who are inspired with the hope of living and reigning with him, must prove their worthiness of this high honor and great responsibility by laying down their earthly life in service, even as Jesus laid down his life. This work of sacrifice is properly called kingdom work because it is in preparation for the glorious future work of the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom which is to rule and bless all mankind.

At times the chapter divisions in the Bible tend to obscure the meaning of the thoughts presented. These divisions are not inspired but, generally speaking, serve a very useful purpose. In the case of this lesson, however, it would seem that the full thought presented begins with verse 27 of the preceding chapter. The Parable of the Vineyard, which is the assignment for this lesson, seems to be a further answer to Peter’s question recorded in verse 27, chapter 19—“Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”

Jesus’ reply to this inquiry was: “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”—vss. 28,29

To this Jesus added, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” (vs. 30) Then follows The Parable of the Vineyard, introduced by the connecting word “for,” and the last verse of the parable reads, “So the last shall be first, and the first last.” (vs. 16) It is evident, we think, that here Jesus is saying that his parable explains how the first will be last and the last first as related to the giving out of wages to the workers in the vineyard, or as Peter stated it, to those who have left all to follow the Master. The parable reveals that the first ones to be hired are the last to be paid.—vs. 8

The future reward of Christians is twofold. They will, in the resurrection, receive “glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” (Rom. 2:7) In his reply to Peter as to what the reward for discipleship would be, Jesus, in addition to the promise of judgeship, simply used the expression, “everlasting life.” In addition to receiving immortality, the true followers of the Master will receive the honor of being associate rulers with Jesus in the messianic kingdom. They will be co-judges with him, and will sit with him in “the throne of his glory.”—Matt. 20:28,29; 25:31

These are the rewards which were promised to the followers of Jesus at the beginning of the age. And all those who are faithful will receive these rewards, regardless of how much time they may have had in which to serve the Lord. This seems to be one of the main points of the parable. There are details of the parable which it would be difficult to fit in with the actual experiences of Jesus’ followers. But there are details in every parable which are merely incidental to the main lesson.

It is a great privilege to work in the Lord’s vineyard under any circumstances, and every disciple of Christ should endeavor to show appreciation for this privilege by daily faithfulness in doing with his might what his hands find to do. While we should appreciate the reward which the Lord offers, this in itself should not constitute the principal motive for our activity. We know that the Lord is just, and an abundant rewarder of those who serve him.

QUESTIONS

Why is work in the Lord’s vineyard properly called kingdom work?

What question was Jesus continuing to answer in his Parable of the Vineyard?

Explain the meaning of the expression, “The last shall be first, and the first last.”

Do all faithful disciples receive the same general reward, and what is that reward?

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