Read Matthew 20:1–16
Questions from the Scripture text: With what word does v1 begin? What is this passage explaining (cf. 19:30)? What is being compared? To whom? Where did this landowner go? When? To do what? What agreement did he reach (v2)? Where did he send them? When did he go out in v3? What did he see? What did he tell them to do (v4)? What does he say that he will give them? What do they do? At what other times does he do this (v5)? And even at what time (v6)? What does he find at that time? What does he ask him? What do they answer (v7)? What does he tell them to do? Again, what does he promise to give them? What comes in v8? Who tells whom to do what? With whom does he say to begin? Who come in v9? What do they receive? Who come in v10? What do they expect? What do they receive? What do they do, when they have received it (v11)? What do they complain about the other men (v12)? What do they complain about their own service? What does the landowner call one of them (v13)? What does he say that he has not done them? According to what standard? What does he tell them to take (v14)? Where does he tell them to go? What does he say about himself? What two rhetorical questions does he ask in v15? What is the implied answer to each? Who knew themselves to have the least to offer (“the last,” v16)? What do they end up receiving, in their understanding of the landowner himself? Who thought they had the most to offer (the “first”)? What do they end up receiving, in their understanding and rejection of him?
What is the nature of the rewards of the kingdom? Matthew 20:1–16 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rewards of the kingdom are given not by merit, but by grace.
The workers who were first invited had the most information. They knew exactly what they were promised. But they responded to the agreement that was offered them by presuming that they were earning what they were being given. Those who went out later had a less precise knowledge of what was agreed upon, but they go out trusting Him to do what is right (v4). They are encouraged to do so by the character of the landowner, who had sought them in compassion, to give them a reward. They are glad to work for Him, but they do not think they are worthy of what they receive. They expect that it will be of grace.
None of them are receiving what they deserve. By implication, not even the first group that works the twelve hours. The pattern of the rest of the day makes it plain that even they are receiving, not upon the basis of what they deserve, but upon the basis of what he generously wishes to give. The theme in the passage as a whole comes in v15: that all of the giving is coming based upon the goodness of God (“because I am good”).
When it comes time to pay them, starting with the last is not a “gotcha.” It’s a lesson in how to perceive/understand the reward that is given. As they see men being paid obviously more than they deserve, it should become apparent that this is always the case. Reward is not merited but dispensed from the good pleasure of the landowner’s generosity.
As they see that reward is not of merit, but of grace, they ought to be more grateful to be participating in such a wonderful thing, rather than less grateful because the quantity that they receive is the same as others. The proper response is to rejoice to be called to do this work, in this place, because it belongs to this person. The person himself is the best gift in the situation.
There are two complaints that legalists make, which are communicated in v12. The first complaint is that they are not treated better than the others to whom they consider themselves superior. The second complaint is that they are mistreated by God, by being rewarded less than they deserve.
Many are offered this gospel of grace. This is the external call of the gospel. But only those who conclude that it is all of grace, with reward infinitely greater than could ever be earned, are those who had been chosen by grace.
To what service have you been called in the Lord’s kingdom? What is your greatest reward in the kingdom? What other reward might you receive? Upon what principle (merit or grace) do you receive these rewards? How should this impact your view of the giver and of your rewards?
Sample prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for coming to us in compassion and calling us into Your household to labor and be rewarded. We are worthy of no good thing, but we praise the generosity of Your grace that You reward us anyway. Give us humble, thankful hearts always, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am With You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee”
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