Workers In The Vineyard

"MANY that are first," Jesus just said, "will be last and the last first." Now he illustrates this by telling a story. "The kingdom of the heavens," he begins, "is like a man, a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard."

Jesus continues: "When [the householder] had agreed with the workers for a denarius a day, he sent them forth into his vineyard. Going out also about the third hour, he saw others standing unemployed in the marketplace; and to those he said, 'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will give you.' So off they went. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour and did likewise. Finally, about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he said to them, why have you been standing here all day unemployed?' They said to him, 'Because nobody has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into the vineyard.'"

The householder, or owner of the vineyard, is Jehovah God, and the vineyard is the nation of Israel. The workers in the vineyard are persons brought into the Law covenant; they are specifically those Jews living in the days of the apostles. It is only with the full-day workers that a wage agreement is made. The wage is a denarius for the day's work. Since "the third hour" is 9:00 a.m., those called at the3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th hours work, respectively, only 9,6,3 and 1 hours.

The 12-hour, or full-day, workers represent the Jewish leaders who have been occupied continually in religious service. They are unlike Jesus' disciples, who have, for most of their lives, been employed in fishing or other secular occupations. Not until the fall of 29 C.E. did the "householder" send Jesus Christ to gather these to be his disciples. They thus became "the last," or the 11th hour vineyard workers.

Next time: Conclusion of Workers In The Vineyard

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Conclusion of Jesus And A Rich Young Ruler

"In the re-creation," Jesus promises "when the Son of man sits down upon his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also yourselves sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Yes, Jesus is showing that there will be a re-creation of conditions on earth so that things will be as they were in the garden of Eden. And Peter and the other disciples will receive the reward of ruling with Christ over this earth-wide Paradise. Surely, such such a grand reward is worth any sacrifice!

However, even now there are rewards, as Jesus firmly states: " No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who wil not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things everlasting life."

As Jesus promises, whereever in the world his disciples go, they enjoy a relationship with fellow Christians that is closer and more precious than that enjoyed with natural family members. The rich young ruler apparently loses out on both this reward and that of everlasting life in God's heavenly Kingdom.

Afterward Jesus adds: "However, many that are first will be last, and the last first." What does he mean? He means that many people who are "first" in enjoying religious privileges, such as the rich young ruler, will not enter the Kingdom. They will be "last." But many, including Jesus' humble disciples, who are looked down upon by the self-righteous Pharisees as being "last" -as being people of the earth, or 'am ha-'a'rets-will become "first>" Their becoming co rulers with Christ in the Kingdom. Mark 10:17-31; Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 18:18-30.

Next time: Workers In The Vineyard

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Jesus And A Rich Young Ruler

AS JESUS goes on through the district of Perea toward Jerusalem, a young man runs up and falls on his knees before him. The man is called a ruler, probably meaning that he holds a prominent position in a local synagogue or even that he is a member of the Sanhedrin. Also, he is very rich. "Good Teacher," he asks, "what must I do to inherit everlasting life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus replies. "Nobody is good, except one, God." Likely the young man uses "good" as a title, so Jesus lets him know that such a title belongs to God.

"If though," Jesus continues, "you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually." "Which ones?" The man asks. Citing five of the ten commandments, Jesus answers: "Why, you must not murder, You must not commit adultery, You must not steal, You must not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother." And adding an even more important commandment, Jesus says: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." "All these things I have kept from my youth on," the man answers with all sincerity. "What am I yet lacking?"

Listening to the man's intense, earnest request, Jesus feels love for him. But Jesus perceives the man's attachment to material possessions and so points out his need: "One thing is missing about you; go, sell what things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower."

Jesus watches, no doubt with pity, as the man rises and turns away deeply saddened. His wealth blinds him to the value of true treasure. "How difficult," Jesus laments, "It will be for those with money to enter into the Kingdom of God!" Jesus' words astound the disciples. But they are surprised even more when he goes on to state a general rule: "It is easier, in fact, for a camel to get through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to get into the Kingdom of God."

"Who, in fact, can be saved?" The disciples want to know. Looking straight at them, Jesus replies: "With men it is impossible, but not so with God, for all things are possible with God." Noting that they have made a choice very different from that of the rich young ruler, Peter says: "Look! We have left all things and followed you." So he asks: "What actually will there be for us?"

Next time: Conclusion of Jesus And A Rich Young Ruler

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Conclusion of Lessons On Divorce And Love For Children

Jesus goes on to tell the Pharisees: "I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication [from Greek, por-nei'a], and marries another commits adultery." He thereby shows that por-nei'a, which is gross sexual immorality, is the only ground approved by God for a divorce. Realizing that marriage should be a lasting union with only this ground for divorce, the disciples are moved to say: "if such is the situation of a man with his wife, it is not advisable to marry.' There is no question that one who is contemplating marriage should seriously consider the permanence of the marital bond!

Jesus goes on to talk about singleness. He explains that some boys are born eunuchs, being incapable of marriage because of not developing sexually. Others have been made eunuchs by men, being cruelly disabled sexually. Finally, some suppress the desire to marry and to enjoy sex relations so that they can devote themselves more fully to matters relating to the Kingdom of the heavens. "Let him that can make room for [singleness] make room for it," Jesus concludes.

People now begin to bring their young children to Jesus. The disciples, however, scold the children and try to send them away, no doubt wanting to protect Jesus from unnecessary stress. But Jesus says: "Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to suchlike ones. Truly, I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a young child will by no means enter into it."

What fine lessons Jesus here provides! To receive God's Kingdom, we must imitate the humility and teachableness of young children. But Jesus' example also illustrates how important it is, especially for parents, to spend time with their children. Jesus now shows his love for little ones by taking them into his arms and blessing them. Matthew 19:1-15; Deuteronomy 24:1; Luke 16:18; Mark 10:1-16; Luke 18:15-17.

Next time: Jesus A Rich Young Ruler

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Lessons On Divorce And Love For Children

JESUS and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem to attend the Passover of 33 C.E. They cross the Jordan River and take the route through the district of Perea. Jesus was in Perea a few weeks earlier, but then he was summoned to Judea because his friend Lazarus was sick. While then in Perea, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about divorce, and now they bring the matter up again.

Among the Pharisees there are different schools of thought about divorce. Moses said that a woman could be divorced because of "something indecent on her part." Some believe that this refers only to unchastity. But others consider "somethings indecent" to include very minor offenses. So, to test Jesus, the Pharisees ask: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on every sort of ground?" They are confident that whatever Jesus says will involve him in difficulty with the Pharisees who hold a different view.

Jesus handles the question masterfully, not appealing to any human opinion , but referring back to the original design of marriage. "Did you not read," he asks, "that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh?' So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart."

God's original purpose, Jesus shows, is that marriage mates stick together, that they not get a divorce. If that is so, the Pharisees respond, "why, then, did Moses prescribe giving a certificate of dismissal and divorcing her?" Moses, out of regard for your hardheartedness, made the concession to you of divorcing your wives," Jesus answers, but such has not been the case from the beginning." Yes, when God established the true standard for marriage in the garden of Eden, he made no provision for divorce.

Next time: Conclusion of Lessons On Divorce And Love For Children

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Conclusion of The Need For Prayer And For Humility

Among those listening to Jesus are some who feel quite self-assured in their faith. They trust in themselves that they are righteous, and they look down on others Certain ones of Jesus' disciples may even be included in the group. So he directs the following illustration to such ones: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, 'O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire.'"

The Pharisees are noted for their public displays of righteousness to impress others. The usual days for their self-imposed fasts are Mondays and Thursdays, and they scrupulously pay the tenth of even the small herbs of the field. A few months earlier, their contempt for the common people had been manifest during the Festival of the Tabernacles when they said: "This crowd that does not know the Law [that is, the Pharisaical interpretation given to it] are accursed people."

Continuing his illustration, Jesus tells of such an "accursed" person: 'But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, 'O God, be gracious to me a sinner.'" Because the tax collector has humbly acknowledged his shortcomings, Jesus says: "I tell you, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted."

Thus Jesus again emphasizes the need to be humble. Being reared in a society in which the self-righteous Pharisees are so influential and position and rank are always stressed, it is not surprising that even Jesus' disciples are affected. Yet, what fine lessons in humility Jesus teaches! Luke 18:1-14; John 7:49.

Next time: Lessons On Divorce And On Love For Children

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

The Need For Prayer And For Humility

EARLIER, when he was in Judea, Jesus told an illustration regarding the importance of being persistent in prayer. Now, on his final trip to Jerusalem, he again emphasizes the need not to give up in praying. Jesus is probably still in Samaria or Galilee when he tells his disciples this further illustration: "In a certain city there was a certain judge that had no fear of God and no respect for man. But there was a widow in that city and she kept going to him, saying, 'See that I get justice from my adversary at law.' Well, for a while he was unwilling, but afterward he said to himself, 'Although I do not fear God or respect a man, at any rate, because of this widow's continually making me trouble, I will see that she gets justice, so that she will not keep coming and pummeling me to a finish.

Jesus then makes the application of his story, saying: "Hear what the judge, although unrighteous, said! Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them?

Jesus does not mean to imply that Jehovah God is in any way like that unrighteous judge. Rather, if even an unrighteous judge will respond to persistent entreaties, there should be no question that God who is altogether righteous and good, will answer if his people do not give up in praying. So Jesus continues: "I tell you [God] will cause justice to be done to them speedily."

Justice is frequently denied the lowly and poor, whereas the powerful and the rich are often favored. God, however, not only will see to it that the wicked are justly punished but will also ensure that his servants are treated justly by giving them everlasting life. But how many people firmly believe that God will cause justice to be done speedily?

Referring especially to faith related to the power of prayer, Jesus asks: "When the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on earth?" Although the question is left unanswered, the implication may be that such faith would not be common when the Christ arrives in Kingdom power.

Next time: Conclusion of The Need For Prayer And For Humility

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Conclusion Of When The Son Of Man Is Revealed

Jesus is not saying that people in Noah's day and in Lot's day were destroyed simply because they pursued the normal activities of eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building. Even Noah and Lot and their families did these things. But the others went about such daily activities without paying any attention to God's will, and it was for this reason that they were destroyed. For the same reason people will be destroyed when Christ is revealed during the great tribulation on this system of things.

Emphasizing the importance of responding quickly to the evidence of his future presence in Kingdom power, Jesus adds: "On that day let the person that is on the housetop but whose movable things are in the house not come down to pick these up, and the person out in the field, let him likewise not return to the things behind. Remember the wife of Lot."

When the evidence of Christ's presence appears, people cannot let attachment to their material possessions hinder them from taking prompt action. On her way out of Sodom, Lot's wife apparently looked back longingly for the things left behind, and she became a pillar of salt.

Continuing his description of the situation that would exist during his future presence, Jesus tells his disciples: " In that night two men will be in one bed; the one will be taken along, but the other will be abandoned. There will be two women grinding at the same mill; the one will be taken along, but the other will be abandoned."

Being taken along corresponds to Noah's entering with his family into the ark and the angels' taking Lot and his family out of Sodom. It means salvation. On the other hand, being abandoned means suffering destruction. At this point, the disciples ask: "Where, Lord?"

"Where the body is, there also the eagles will be gathered together," Jesus answers. Those "taken along" for salvation are like farsighted eagles in that they gather together to "the body." The body has reference to the true Christ at his invisible presence in Kingdom power and to the spiritual feast that Jehovah provides. Luke 17:20-37; Genesis 19:26.

Next time: The Need For Prayer And For Humility

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

When The Son Of Man Is Revealed

WHILE Jesus is still in the north (either in Samaria or in Galilee), Pharisees ask him about the arrival of the Kingdom. They believe that it will come with great pomp and ceremony, but Jesus says: "The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness, neither will people be saying, 'See here!' or, 'There!' For, look! the kingdom of God is in your midst."

Jesus' words "in your midst" have at times been translated "within you." So some have thought that Jesus meant that the Kingdom of God reigns in the hearts of God's servants. But, obviously, the Kingdom of God is not within the hearts of these unbelieving Pharisees to whom Jesus is speaking. Yet, it is in their midst, since the designated King of God's Kingdom, Jesus Christ, is right among them.

It is probably after the Pharisees leave that Jesus talks further with his disciples about the coming of the Kingdom. He has particularly in mind his future presence in Kingdom power when he warns: "People will say to you, 'See there!'or 'See here' do not go our or chase after [these false Messiahs]. For even as the lightning, by its flashing, shines from on part under heaven to another part under heaven, so the Son of man will be."Hence, Jesus is indicating that just as lightning is seen over a wide area, the evidence of his presence in Kingdom power will be clearly visible to all wishing to observe it.

Jesus then draws comparisons with ancient events to show what the attitudes of people will be during his future presence. He explains: "Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. . . Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot; they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. The same way it will be on that day when the Son of Man is to be revealed.

Next time: Conclusion of When The Son Of Man Is Revealed

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991

Conclusion of Ten Lepers Healed During Jesus' Final Trip To Jerusalem

Nine of the cleansed lepers continue on their way, but the other leper, a Samaritan, returns to look for Jesus. Why? Because he is so grateful for what has happened to him. He praises God with a loud voice, and when he finds Jesus, he falls at his feet, thanking him.

In reply Jesus says: "The ten were cleansed were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Were none found that turned back to give glory to God but this man of another nation?"

Then he tells the Samaritan man: "Rise and be on your way; your faith has made you well."

When we read about Jesus' healing of the ten lepers, we should take to heart the lesson implied by his question: "Where, then, are the other nine?" The ingratitude that was manifested by the nine is a serious shortcoming. Will we, like the Samaritan, show ourselves grateful for the things we receive from God, including the certain promise of everlasting life in God's righteous new world? John 11:54, 55; Luke 17:11-19; Leviticus 13:16, 17, 45, 46; Revelation 21:3, 4.

Next time:When The Son Of Man Is Revealed

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991