‘The last as first and the first as last’

Life in our communities of faith eventually reveals the big difference between what we think is proper and what God thinks and does. The gospel parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) shows that our way of thinking is not God’s way, which we should appreciate more and more, and imitate.

Zealous disciples

The context of the parable of the workers was again Peter’s question to Jesus: “What will there be for us?” who have given up everything and followed you (Matthew 19:27). Jesus answered that his disciples who have followed him “will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” in the new age and “will receive a hundred times more” than what they have given up. The focus of the discussion, however, shifted to the perplexing conclusion Jesus made: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” And like a bracket this paradox also concludes the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

Interestingly, the parable of the workers in the vineyard is followed

by the story of the mother of James and John trying to secure for them special seats of honor in the company of Jesus (Matthew 20:20-23). Jesus clarified that being closely associated with him entails indeed drinking the cup he drinks, but this means joining him in his passion as he had just then once more predicted (Matthew 20:17-19). Their fellowship and communion together are not about worldly power, but service to others. his mission and theirs is not how to be served, but to serve. Otherwise, zealous disciples can easily become jealous individuals bent in worldly rivalry.

The good master

The parable of the workers in the vineyard pictures the usual hiring of laborers at dawn, but also the unusual continuing hiring around 9 in the morning, at noon, and even at 5 in the afternoon. The payment of all hired hands is at 6. The focus is on the master of the vineyard; his peculiar behavior contains the intended teaching. The work in the vineyard is the traditional image for the task God gives his people. But not to be forgotten, God is the shepherd who seeks the lost sheep (Matthew 18:1214), and does not want that any of the little ones be disregarded and lost or be without part in the kingdom.

The way the master orders the payment of all the laborers is stunning and challenging. By beginning with the last and finishing with the first, the usual recognition of those who have worked earliest and longest is bypassed. And the generous payment of a day’s earning, a silver coin, to those who came in last and worked shortest at the head of the line underscores the natural expectation of those hired first that they would get much more. But they too receive the same coin. Shocked, these laborers feel they have been wronged. The master points out that is what they have agreed upon. The issue really is the master’s goodness to those who have been hired last and considered to be getting less.

Alálaong bagá, the first hired are envious that those who came in last receive as much as they do. Their standard is the common sense rule: “To each his due.” They do not appreciate the goodness of the master who offers them work at dawn and who hires others as well at the last hour, and who with his kindness gives everyone their “daily bread.” This undeserved goodness is emphasized as those hired last are paid first and full, not as a slight to those who have labored much more, whose grumbling must have contrasted visibly with the rejoicing and wonderment of those who have received so generously from the master of the vineyard.

Divine goodness is not a discussion about salary; it is about everyone being invited to the vineyard and given work, relying on the master’s judgment and generosity. There are those servants who may have come late and boast of nothing and just do their duty (Luke 17:10). These can turn out to be the first. Those jealous of their fellow workers and know better than the master make themselves last by their own estimation, like the older son who is unhappy with the goodness of his father toward his prodigal brother (Luke 15:11ff ). God is just and good to all.

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