{"id":20628,"date":"2023-03-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-11T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-11th-march-2023"},"modified":"2023-03-11T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-11T06:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-11th-march-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-11th-march-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 11th March 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  When he went out about nine o\u2019clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place;  and he said to them, \u201cYou also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.\u201d So they went.  When he went out again about noon and about three o\u2019clock, he did the same.  And about five o\u2019clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, \u201cWhy are you standing here idle all day?\u201d  They said to him, \u201cBecause no one has hired us.\u201d He said to them, \u201cYou also go into the vineyard.\u201d  When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, \u201cCall the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.\u201d  When those hired about five o\u2019clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.  Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.  And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,  saying, \u201cThese last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.\u201d  But he replied to one of them, \u201cFriend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?  Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?\u201d  So the last will be first, and the first will be last.\u2019 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way,  \u2018See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death;  then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Once, a long time ago, I had to read this Gospel passage during school assembly. Afterwards, a fellow pupil commented, \u201cThanks for reading that story so clearly, but it still doesn\u2019t make any sense to me.\u201d<\/span>
At the time, I shared their puzzlement. Now, though, I\u2019m not confused by Jesus\u2019s parable of payment for work in a vineyard \u2013 I\u2019m terrified.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a sermon that helped clear up my confusion. \u201cStop seeing things from the perspective of those hired first,\u201d said the preacher, \u201cand look at it from the point of view of those hired last.\u201d For me, this changed the story from one where the owner\/God short-changes me, to one where God\/the owner is generous to me, despite the fact that I arrived later in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018So the last\u2019 – like me! \u2013 \u2018will be first,\u2019 says Jesus, \u2018and the first will be last.\u2019 That\u2019s seriously good news, except that in this world, I\u2019m seldom one of the last. Economically, educationally, socially, politically, and religiously, I\u2019m much better placed. Therefore, taking Jesus seriously here is a terrifying prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n

The parable is not offered as a guide to best economic practice, but indicates how God works – by putting the last first. Is this also how God intends things to be in education, society, politics, religion, and other areas of my life? Those who are last in line will be as well-resourced as those accustomed to being at the front?<\/span><\/p>\n

This would turn society upside down. It would remove so many of the life-advantages that I enjoy. I have good reason to be terrified. No wonder that back then society\u2019s leaders were very ready to get rid of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

So in supporting divine intentions and practices, I\u2019m a reluctant, late in the day worker, but one depending on God\u2019s generosity.<\/span>
 
Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

O God,<\/span>
Make me grateful for what you give me and generous in how I share that with others. Encourage me to welcome a world where your will is done on earth as it is in heaven.<\/span>
Amen.<\/span> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.  When he went out about nine o\u2019clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place;  and he … <\/p>\n

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