It was a game changer for me to see that the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) is actually part of the answer to Peter's question: “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matt. 19:27) The first part of Jesus' answer, in the following verses, is a reassurance that 'God is debtor to no man' (Matthew Henry's phrase). All those who have made sacrifices will receive a hundred times as much and eternal life thrown in. And then there is a key statement of Kingdom economy: But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. (Matt. 19:30) That phrase comes again at Matt. 20:16 - giving a bookend - and the words 'first' and 'last' come up in the middle of the parable (20:8). So this is all clearly part of the same section. Matt. 20:1-16 is the second part of Jesus answer to, "What then will be there for us [disciples who have sacrificed so much to follow you]?" As so often
Clarkson's Farm has introduced many of us urban-dwellers to some of the realities of farming. The huge impact of unpredictable weather. The volatility of prices (particularly in a pandemic). The very costly investments required. The complexity of the tasks. The sheer number of different things that can go wrong. The New Testament regularly likens pastors and gospel workers to farmers. Jesus likens his disciples to workers in a vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16). There will be a final reward for their labour but human expectations and hierarchies are inverted in the Kingdom economy. Paul and Apollos are agricultural labourers in 'God's field' (the church) with different roles (planting and watering). As such they are nothing in themselves, dependent on God to give the growth, but they will receive a reward for their labours. Paul calls Timothy to the pattern of the 'hardworking farmer'. Again reward is in view which here consists in sharing in the crop for which the f