Tag Archives: Humility

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 16, 2015
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Last, First, or Somewhere in the Middle — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 16, 2015

“The kingdom of heaven is like a householder 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 the vineyard. Going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; to them he said ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ Going out again about the sixth 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, ‘No one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ When evening came, he said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'” Matthew 20:1-8

One of the nuances of living in 21st century America is how we treat those who are “first”. It begins in elementary school — when people select teams for any kind of activity, the people who are picked first are either the most athletic, the most popular, or the most liked. This reality and practice is also continued through high school and even into college. In the Professional Sports world, the first person selected in a draft (like professional baseball and football) is usually paid the most. It is a big deal to be selected first — you are honored with being first — it is a statement that you are the best of the best.

The parable of vineyard, and the selection of laborers, turns this idea completely on its head. Those selected first are not paid more, are not honored more, are in no way treated as being the best of the best. They simply are treated the same as those being selected last. Martin Luther writes, “In every kingdom, in every empire, there are privileged men; that is to say, eminent persons with rights beyond the ordinary; and the source of these privileges is that by birth or by office they are closer to the person of the prince. It belongs to the sovereign’s greatness and majesty that the luster of his crown should be in some sort reflected on those who approach him near. But if we are united with Christ, let us not look among the rich for the privileges of Holy Church. Our monarch’s crown is a crown of thorns, its luster is suffering and affliction.”

You see, G*d pays no attention to how this earthly choosing of the first and last is carried out. G*d will decide — G*d will decide — and the Grace of Jesus Christ is given to all equally, no matter when we began to labor in the kingdom.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 29, 2015
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Humility — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 29, 2015

“I fear that perhaps I may come and find you not what I wish, and that you may find me not what you wish; that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my G*d may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented…” 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

“Any show of ill-temper, partiality, or prejudice is to be scrupulously avoided… They must not be over ready to believe ill of anyone, nor too hasty with their censure; being well aware that we all of us owe the debt of sin. If we pray to the Lord to forgive us, we ourselves must be forgiving; we are all under the eyes of our Lord and G*d, and every one of us must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, where each will have to give an account of himself.” Polycarp (69-155) Letter to the Philippians “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 161)

I was reading a newspaper article the other day — it was the announcement of an ordination service for a member of the Clergy. The article was three or four columns long describing everything this person has ever done in their ministerial educational process and in their work life. Being ordained in the church for Jesus Christ is a second or third career for this individual. What made me stop to read the article, beside the joy of having another clergy in the Church, no matter that I just recently celebrated my 10th year of ordination, what made me stop and read it was the length this person went to list everything they have ever done – every church they have served – every field-education requirement as part of their seminary experience, and every other kind of experience they have had in their lives.

Paul tells the people in Corinth that he hopes that G*d will “humble me before you” — he is hoping to come to them in a manner of humble service. As Polycarp says, it is in front of G*d that we will stand to make an accounting of our deeds. Until then, as pastors, we are called to humble service — we will have our time to tell G*d what we have done at the end of our lives — of course G*d will already know.

Pastor Dave