Sermons

« September 07, 2008 - September 13, 2008 | Go Back to the Main Index of Sermons | October 05, 2008 - October 11, 2008 »

September 21, 2008

Fairness in God's Kingdom

September 21, 2008
Matthew 20:1-16 Fairness in God’s Kingdom

Introduction to the Gospel lesson:
Jesus tells this parable in response to Peter’s question, “We have left everything to follow you. What will there be for us?” Jesus replies, “Settle down my friend, do not worry. Everyone who has left houses or family or work for my sake will receive 100 times as much and will inherit eternal life. But be warned…it won’t always look the way YOU think it should. Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Then he tells this parable.

Prayer…

For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning…

And he met Susan and Dave, new parents who had recently returned to the church. They were considering baptizing their daughter, Nora. It was an important decision for Susan and Dave. They wanted to do the right thing. Would it be fair to their child to select a religion for her? The Landowner told the parents, “It is never too soon to have a relationship with me. Nora will make decisions for herself on this matter when the time comes. But right now is a critical time in her formation. Things she learns now will help her later on in life.

As a benefit of coming to work in my vineyard, Susan and Dave, you will have the help and support of all the other workers as you raise Nora. You will not have to do it alone. And just as importantly, Nora will be connected to a larger family of people who are as diverse as the world’s population. She too will come to know the joy of working in the vineyard, serving me and preparing it for those yet to come.”
Susan and Dave had Nora baptized.

About the third hour, the Landowner went out and he saw…

Kevin, a high school junior, who was struggling with his sexuality. When Kevin’s friends talked about girls, he didn’t seem to have the same feelings that they did. He felt different. People made jokes and said demeaning things about gay people. Kevin didn’t want to be gay…but he was afraid that he was.

To make matters worse, Kevin had no one to talk to about this. He couldn’t talk to the minister at his church because he preached that being gay was a sin. Besides, Kevin had stopped going years ago; making excuses to his parents that he couldn’t go for numerous reasons.

It was so unfair! Why couldn’t he be like everyone else?

The Landowner told Kevin, “Being gay is not a curse. I know sometimes it feels like it is, but you are wonderfully and perfectly made just as you are. People still have so much to learn about love, creation, and me. Don’t let their inability to love and accept you keep YOU from having a relationship with ME. Come and work alongside others who will love you for the person you are and who you can love too. Come and be connected to a larger family of people who are as diverse as the world’s population. It won’t always be easy, but you will experience love and acceptance. You will know the joy of working in the vineyard.

Excited and yet, apprehensive, Kevin came to the vineyard.

The Landowner went out again about the sixth hour…

He met Susan, a writer. Susan thought she needed the drugs and alcohol to get her through the day. Susan had done some things that she assumed were unforgiveable. And, although she grew more curious each passing year, Susan kept her distance from the landowner.
It is poignant that Susan would find herself on Sunday mornings in the local flea market…and just about the time worship started she would be close enough to hear the music from a small run down church. For weeks she stood in the door, listening to the music, leaving before the sermon. She described the music’s affect on her this way, “something inside me that was stiff and rotting would feel soft and tender.” (Anne Lamont, Traveling Mercies)

One night after a week of excesses, she got violently sick, so sick she sobered up. Not wanting to call anyone, she went to bed. Lying there in the darkness, she became aware of the presence of the Landowner. Initially, Susan thought it was her father, whose presence she felt over the years when she was frightened and alone. But she realized this presence was different.

Speaking into the dark she asked, “What are you doing?” The Landlord replied, “I’m waiting until you are ready. I will wait as long as it takes.” Upon waking the next morning she wasn’t sure what she remembered had happened.

Not quite sure what it was, Susan knew something had shifted in her world. She described the feeling that next week as if a cat was following at her heels, wanting her to bend down and pick it up. Wanting her to open the door and let it in. But Susan resisted because she knew what that meant. If you let a cat in one time, give it a little milk and food, it stays forever! Susan was fairly certain that her friends would laugh at her when they heard about this story. It’s so uncool to be a Christian.

She fought the feeling all week until she went back to that little congregation the next Sunday. Too hung over to leave, Susan stayed for the entire service. And the closing song touched something so deep in her that she could not explain it, except to say…she let the cat in. (Anne Lamont’s story--slightly adapted--and image)

About the sixth hour, Susan went to work in the vineyard.

The Landowner went out again about the ninth hour…

He found Jack, the black sheep of his family. Jack had left home 30 years before after fathering a child out of wedlock. His father, a retired minister, needs care and Jack has agreed to come help his sister take care of their father for a time. It is awkward being with his family after not seeing much of them for 30 years. There were never really close. His family rarely left their rural town, and Jack rarely came home to visit.

But when his sister called out of the blue, the timing seemed right. A successful business man, Jack could afford to take some time off. He actually welcomed it. The last of his two children were off to college. He didn’t recognize his wife and she didn’t recognize him. They had recently separated to see what their next steps would be. The call from his sister was a welcome distraction from the confusion of his usually neat and tidy life. Jack’s sister had been a Christian her entire life. Being around her these past few weeks has been easier than he thought it would. He sensed no judgment from her. Just a tentative tenderness that encouraged him to let down his guard.

One Sunday morning, Jack came downstairs dressed and shaved. “Do you mind if I go to church this morning and you stay home with Dad?” Surprised, but trying not to show it, she replied, “Go ahead.”

Jack did not make it to the church on his first two attempts. He walked around the block trying to get up the nerve. He stayed across the street pacing but once the music started, he returned home. He couldn’t quite put his finger on his feelings but they flickered between not feeling worthy or comfortable with this new act he was considering.

On his third try, Jack met the Landlord. The Landlord said, “Jack, you are a successful man and you have tried many avenues to find happiness in your life. Have you found what you’ve been looking for? If you come work for me you won’t always be happy, but you can always be joyful. What do you have to lose?

About the ninth hour, Jack went to work in the vineyard.

About the eleventh hour the Landlord went out and found still others, lying in death beds or close to death in various institutions all over the world. “I am afraid that I’ve wasted my life…I am afraid I been wrong about so much…My life is coming to an end and I see that I have been a mean, nasty person. I am afraid I won’t be forgiven…I’ve committed a horrible crime and spent my life in prison. Sorry for what I have done, I’m afraid that it is too late for me…”

“Fear Not” the Landlord said to each and everyone one of them who honestly sought him out. Even at the hour of their death, they were brought into the vineyard.

Now you might think that this parable is about the new parents, Susan and Dave or their daughter, Nora. You might think this parable is about Kevin the teenager, Susan the writer, Jack the successful businessman, or one of many people who seek God as they near death. But like so many of Jesus parables, this too is about God.

Brothers and sisters, God is much more than any president could be. And to paraphrase the words of one man from Indiana who spoke at the Democratic Convention this year. “Our God cares more about each and every Barney Smith than all the Smith Barney’s put together.”

We expect human being to fulfill God’s role, whether that human is our spouse, financial planner, president, or pastor. But being human we cannot, we will always fall short. But just because we humans fall short, that does not mean God falls short. Our image of God is clouded by the labels and laws that human beings project upon God.

God is perfect. God loves us always and forever. It’s a message we need to hear over and over again. God never stops looking for us. God never gives up on us. God is always looking for a way to help us return to Him.

The Landowner has many workers in the vineyard and still He continues to seek and call people to come to the vineyard. What is the Landowner doing while the workers are out toiling in the field? Resting? No, he is looking for more people to invite to the vineyard.

At the end of the parable those who feel they have worked harder and longer than others cry out, “It’s not fair. We did everything you asked of us. We worked so hard with very little thanks or glory. We kept this place going when no one was here. We sacrificed so much. The Landowner’s heart breaks for their shortsightedness.

Do you not see my handiwork through your efforts? These ones who you are complaining about—the people who came after you—they have come in part because of you—because of your faithfulness to the work. Or to put it another way, your hard labor has made people more receptive to my invitation.

The way you taught and nurtured my children prepared them for the challenges of life. Your compassionate dialogue and labor helped build an open and inclusive church. Your passionate worship and open hospitality made people feel welcome. Your tenderness and compassion helped people love and accept themselves. Your vulnerability and caring for the sick, elderly, and imprisoned helped them to die with dignity and peace.

Maybe you noticed that I called “the vineyard” the church. This is intentional because I hope that we might be bold enough to see ourselves as working in God’s vineyard. That we might see that we have a purpose beyond ourselves that revolves around God’s call and purpose for our lives in this community of faith. That we might see God’s leading and call in this shared community.

When visiting one of our families recently, I was struck by one person’s interpretation of being a worker in God’s vineyard. Describing her work, she acknowledged it can be monotonous and difficult and everyone does not do their “fair share.” But when counseling younger co-workers this Christian woman states her life in this way. “I work for the glory of God. I give my best, and let God take care of the rest.”

I work for the glory of God. I give my best, and let God take care of the rest. Amen brothers and sisters. Let’s give it our best, God will take care of the rest!

Posted by vickie at 10:00 AM