That's Not Fair!

One way to know if you've really understood a parable of Jesus is to check your reaction.  Here are some reactions that demonstrate you probably did NOT get his point:

• You think to yourself, "this really applies well for  (name of someone besides yourself)"
• You think the point is being able to explain the meaning and U.S. currency equivalents for denarii, talents and minas. 
• You allegorize the details so that every character, event, animal, and object has a direct parallel.

One way to know that you have indeed gotten the point is to proclaim, "God have mercy on me a sinner."  Jesus' parables have a way to pointing out our flaws in such a subtle way that his point may not hit you right away.  Sometimes the parable has to roll around inside your head for awhile and then, when you least expect it, it hits you right between the eyes. 

The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16) is like that.  I can relate to the men who worked 12 hours and were upset that those who barely broke a sweat got paid that same wage.  Surely this would have potential to be a class action lawsuit.  When I think of my own hard work in the kingdom of God, do the years and years of effort, study, sacrifice, and self-denial not pay off in some BIG way?  After years of resisting temptation and willingly suffering abuse and ridicule for my faith, do I now have to share my crown of glory with a sexual pervert and mass murderer who comes to Christ in the 11th hour?

God hears my pitiful cry of "That's not fair!" and responds, "What are you upset about?  I want to give grace to everyone who turns to me, even those who come at the last minute.  Don't I have a right to do what I want with my grace?  Or are you envious, because I am so generous?"  Ouch, right between the eyes.  "God, have mercy on me a sinner." 

(If you want to read about Jeffrey Dahmer's conversion to Christ read Dark Journey Deep Grace.  To read my review check our Amazon and search the reviews.)

The Gospel as Comedy

Laughter and tears have a lot in common.  How often have you been laughing and laughed so hard you began to cry?  Or, have you had the opposite happen to you?  You are crying and suddenly something is said or done that makes your crying turn into laughter. I wonder about why these two very opposite reactions can sometimes occur at the same time. 

There is nothing funny about tragedy.  Tragedy is horrible and painful.  It is car accidents, drownings and hopeless diseases.  Tragedies are often so awful that that are unspeakable. 

Only God can turn a tragedy into something good.  The cross of Christ becomes salvation for hopeless sinners because of the resurrection.   The unexpected has happened and it makes us laugh!  The kingdom has broken into our world and now the last are first and poor are rich.  The blind are the ones who can see and the empty are filled.   We were all caught looking in the wrong direction but now that we've taken a turn on "unexpected road" we are all filled with laughter.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Bring your kingdom in fullness.  Fill your people with the laughter of Sarah and Abraham.  Give up the grace to expect the impossible.