First Thoughts - Matthew 20:1-16 (Proper 20A)

Brueggemann et al, make a great point about this passage toward the end of their commentary entry on this text. The suggestion is made that the reaction of the all-day workers is not unlike Jonah's reaction to God's grace to Ninevah, or to the reaction of the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son.

Somehow, our human tendency is that grace should be distributed equitably and fairly. We want everyone to get exactly what they deserve. But this very notion contradicts the very nature of grace, which is getting what we don't deserve. Grace isn't about fairness. It isn't about a transaction between what we did and what God does. Grace isn't about the expected.

Instead, grace is about the unexpected. It's about God's lavish generosity distributed freely. Grace should never be expected, for then it ceases to be grace. We should never presume upon God's grace, as though we deserve it...for we don't.

There are those who believe that they can live any way they like, for God's grace is sufficient. While this may be true, the attitude represents a presumption upon God's grace which seems contrary to the message of heart holiness and transformation. Followers of Christ have been transformed so that the way they want to live has changed. They can sin all they want...not because it's OK to sin, but because they no longer want to sin.

That's the sort of transformation effected by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A cleansing from the inside-out. A divine change wrought by the Grace of God. Grace that is undeserved and extravagant upon all people who accept it.

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon