Tag Archives: Matthew

Jesus is the Messiah

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 16, 2015
Tags: , , Matthew   

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 July 15, 2015
Tags: , Matthew   

A Battle of the Wills — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 15, 2015

“Peter said…”Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 19:27-30

“Christianity proposes a radically different point of departure for a new life. When we fail to make sense of our lives, the failure can be attributed much of the time to random and wayward emotions and also to the absence of virtue, to vices and moral formlessness. In the familiar human muddle, seriousness about willing one’s redemption looks like the way to make one’s life worthy again. What is involved is daring to let G*d and G*d’s will govern and discipline my life when I tend to botch the job. That is a matter of giving up my willing and giving G*d’s will the energizing role….” Paul L. Holmer (1916 – ) “For All The Saints”, volume IV (p. 204 – 205)

Giving our lives to Christ, and then demanding our own way, or trying to command the ship on our own is not “leaving everything and following Jesus”, as the disciples did. It seems to me that, being a disciple of Christ is going to involve a constant “battle of the wills” — G*d’s will vs. our own will. Now, that may sound easy, as if we can decide each and every day to follow Jesus — and our lives will be great. Well, for some people that may be true. But I am reminded of the battles that rage in my mind and in my body — for example the battle of wills between eating right, and eating what I want — the battle of wills between exercising and doing what I want. If it were so easy to eat what I should and exercising like I should, I would be much healthier and slimmer (not that my body type matters). But anyone who has made a vow on December 31st to make serious changes in their lives understands (by about January 15) how difficult it is to maintain the will to change.

Listening to the “will” of G*d and then making good on following that “will” is a calling we all struggle to follow. It requires listening each and every day to the voice of G*d who wants us to join our wills with the divine’s.

Pastor Dave