This scene is familiar to many in South Africa: prosperous and wealthy vintners with their vineyards requiring careful and hands-on attention, especially during seasons of pruning and harvesting. (For those who know the industry first-hand, this would make a wonderful Gospel contemplation; easy to imagine oneself into!)
It is important to note that Jesus is not using this story to comment on the social justice of his day. In this instance, Jesus teaches his disciples about service in God’s Kingdom and how to expect their ‘employer’ (God) to deal with them. So, here, the social and economic power of the landowner is used by Jesus to tell them – and us – something important about God – God’s
wisdom, justice, provision and power. And he tells them how they can expect God to deal with them as they work for God’s kingdom.
Let us imagine how the vineyard owner goes to the marketplace to hire the workers. He knows exactly what skills he needs and how many workers he wants for the particular job in his vineyard. Notice that the workers, eager for employment,
agree to a wage upfront. Imagine their joy and energy at being employed as they move into the vineyard. At that early hour, the landowner must have accepted everyone available and put them all to work, for he knew he needed many.
Indeed, Jesus intended the disciples who first heard this story to focus on the landowner and
identify him as God their Father, his righteousness and generosity. I wonder if, as the story progressed, the disciples’ attention perhaps shifted from their calling to their worldly needs and sense of fairness and justice. Maybe when they first heard the story from Jesus’ lips, they missed the focus altogether and only later, upon reflection, understood what he was getting at.
As we read the story today, do we perhaps quickly read over the words, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like . . .’ and miss what Jesus is trying to say about his Father and working in his kingdom?
Do I think of my Heavenly Father as wise, just, powerful, and generous?
Do I believe that God calls me (and all others) because God knows my skills and trusts that I can fulfil his purpose?
When I obey God’s call to do something, do I go out gladly and trust him to reward me fairly?
Reflections by Reginald Venter
