HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it 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. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
This parable of Jesus paints a beautiful picture of the love and mercy of God toward all those who would enter the heavenly kingdom. The wondrous glory of heaven—rest from labors, freedom from anything that troubles, glorious presence of God—is prepared for all those who have been washed in the blood of Christ, and who have been faithful to Him. Those who are blessed to learn the truth at an early age and enjoy a lifetime of the blessings that come from a faithful relationship with God spend much time anticipating and longing for that heavenly home. Others come to God in midlife, having been convinced of the truth at a later time, and enjoy the security of knowing that their lives are safe in the hands of a loving Savior. Still others do not find the truth until the twilight of their lives and rejoice in knowing that they are finally free from sin and bound for that eternal home. Regardless of when one comes to Christ, the prize is set—the immeasurable glory of an eternity spent in the presence of God, His precious Son, and with all the saints. Thanks be to God for His overwhelming love and mercy!
What do you look forward to most about heaven?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!