Septuagesima
Text: Matthew 20:1-16
Certainly, the words have flowed off your lips, “It’s not fair.”
What’s interesting about these words is that human nature seldom wants life to be fair. We want more than we’re entitled to and desire to win at all costs—just look at your last argument. We want the people we don’t like to lose.
Even the American idea of fairness implies we are born with the same walk of life, potential, and capabilities.
Yet, we know that this isn’t true. But it doesn’t keep us from wanting it…
There is a romanticism with the idea of fairness, isn’t there?
One may look to their neighbor and see their wealth as you scrounge for pennies and say, “It’s not fair.”
Maybe you see a child born with disabilities and say, “It’s just not fair.” Yet, their enduring childlike faith in Jesus often becomes a teacher and example to the rest of us.
Still, another sees a favorite teacher diagnosed with terminal cancer, and they respond, “It’s not fair.”
Or is it fair that a child loses a parent at a young age or that a parent must bury a child?
No, life is not fair.
And if it were, we’d all be in a great deal of trouble because it would end for all of us in the grave and the judgment of eternal death, not only for the sin of our first parents that ushered into this world all those ailments and calamities mentioned above but the sin we continue to commit today as we grumble among one another regarding the fairness of life.
So yes, as counterintuitive as it is, life is not fair.
But look to the cross. Does that look fair?
No, of course not. But do you know what you see on the cross? It’s love. Love for a fallen creation, love for mankind, love for you.
Upon the cross, Jesus took your place so that you might receive the forgiveness of sin and eternal life by grace.
And this gets to the heart of the Gospel reading today: grace.
Grace is a gift; it’s not earned; it’s given out of love, and that is the struggle for the laborers in the vineyard; because of how long they’ve toiled under the heat of the day, they now expect more than was promised to them as the Gospel says,
And on receiving [a denarius] they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These 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.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. (Matthew 20:11-16)
It's not fair, is it?
But the love of the master is good, gracious, and kind.
And if you’re being honest, praise be to God that His love is not dependent upon how long you’ve been in the vineyard of His Church or walked in the way of the Baptismal life or even the works that you have done inside or out of the church.
No, instead, this parable gives us hope, not only for the times when our hearts have been hardened towards the Lord but also for our family and friends who have not yet entered the vineyard of God’s Church through the waters of Holy Baptism.
Truly, which of you would not desire a loved one to share in the confession of the thief upon the cross, the one who looks and says to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
There is no greater image of grace than this: even as the thief is breathing his final breaths of life, he confesses Jesus and receives the same gift of eternal life as you and I look forward to.
So, what does this mean for us today? What does this mean for you, Max, as you are confirmed today?
If you are hearing the voice of your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, do not harden your hearts toward Him for His generosity, love, and kindness to others. (Hebrews 7:7-8)
Instead, rejoice that He would choose to give the same wage and gift of forgiveness and eternal life to you as your neighbor. And He does this out of grace and love for you.
So, as you look around and see your place and lot in life, no matter how good or bad it may appear at this moment, realize that no, life is not fair; some of us are born with disabilities, and others will be diagnosed with ailments, while others still experience an untimely death and loss, but God gives all of us more than we could ever deserve, He gives us His life and salvation. And this is all by grace.
Think about that now, Max, as you will soon confess your faith.
Your salvation, the forgiveness of your sin, and eternal life are given to you, not because of your work in Confirmation class, but as you will say, “By the grace of God.”
It’s the gift all believers in Christ Jesus receive. +INJ+
Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tomah, WI
