Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2018 August 28

“So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first” 

(Matthew 20:8).

Today’s Morsel: In his gospel, Matthew seems to use more parables of Jesus teachings than the other gospel writers to get his point across.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  Matthew's writing of the Sermon on the Mount was to express Jesus' teaching about Christian conduct and actions, and today's story is no different.  The last shall be first and the first last was not a story about work and wages.  It was a story to reflect the Jews' attitude towards the Gentiles.  It was a story to indicate that when the Gentiles would come in, the last, they would receive from Him the same as others.  There would be no difference with Him.  The story is about His (The Master's) character of equality and faithfulness to reward based on His word.  The Gentiles, which would be later engrafted in, which were last, and the Jews, which were chosen by Him first, were not happy with this story.  When Jesus told them that the publicans and harlots go into the kingdom before them (Matthew 21:31-32), the chief priests and Pharisees perceived that He spake of them and they went about the kill Him.  How’s your attitude toward others who do not look like you?  Do you think that just because you are a fifth generation Christian you deserve more?  It doesn’t work that way with Jesus, so you will need to adjust your attitude.  No matter the hour one may get saved, we all get the same reward, and that reward is eternal life.

Sing:  I want to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.  I need a cleansing from the fountain.  My soul is hungry, I've got this feeling within.  I want to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Thought For Today:   Get a right attitude and keep it.