Matthew 20
Oh, the many “unfairnesses” of life! A
promotion we hoped for goes to someone else. An illness enters our lives. An
accident hurts us or someone we love. The violent victimize good law abiding
people. A storm destroys a home, or a community. With a wide range of emotions
– anger, sadness, confusion – we cry out, “It’s not fair!”
It’s true. Life is not fair. In part
that is the impact of sin in our world. When people’s lives are broken by
sinful actions or consequences we often see a lack of fairness. Another aspect
of this is that we have a skewed view of what fairness is. For many, fairness
equates to sameness. God never intended for us all to be the same. Different
gifts, varying strengths, and a multiplicity of opportunities pretty much
guarantees that life won’t be fair if you think fair means equal.
Jesus told the parable of the Laborers
in the Vineyard to a group of people who wanted what was “fair.” They felt, as
God’s people, it was fair for them to be first, greatest, superior. Jesus
highlights the important reality that in God’s kingdom, “many who are first will
be last, and the last first,” and all who believe in Him receive the same
reward.
That’s not fair! No, it’s not. And that
is a good thing.
Fairness has little to do with God’s
work in our lives. God says that all of us sin, break His commandments, and
rebel against Him. What is fair for behavior like that? Is it fair that Jesus,
the holy Son of God, died to pay for our misdeeds? Is it fair that Jesus did
all the work, and we receive the reward of living with Him in glory?
Perhaps instead of fairness, we should
begin to think about what is “graceful” – full of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Instead of fairness, we should ask, “What is loving?” Because these are the
ways God deals with us. (Don’t get me wrong, fairness has its place and we
should pursue justice in this world, particularly for others who are weak, oppressed
or abused.) When it comes to our dealings with God it is far better that we get
what is unfair; which is forgiveness, life, peace, love, joy, eternal life, and
every blessing through faith in Jesus, the crucified and risen one.
Lord, I don’t want what is fair from You.
Please let me live in Your grace and receive the eternal reward Jesus won by
His death for me. Amen.
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