In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. In the parable, the master hires laborers for his vineyard early in the morning and agrees to pay them a denarius for the day’s work (vv.1-2). As the day progresses, the master hires additional laborers at the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hours (in our way of reckoning time 9am, noon, 3pm, and 5pm respectively) from those who had been standing idle in the marketplace (vv. 3-7). When evening comes, the laborers are paid beginning with the last hired to the first (v. 8). The eleventh-hour laborers received a denarius, and the ones hired early, expecting to receive more, complained when they likewise received a denarius (vv. 9-12). However, the master was simply being generous. He likely realized that no man could feed a family with a small fraction of a day’s wage, and so in his graciousness he blessed those who had worked only a short time. His response to the complaints of those hired early was, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” (vv. 13-15).

This parable is used by Jesus to rebuke His opponents who complained about God’s grace to sinners. Matthew places this parable in an interesting spot in his gospel account. At the end of Matthew 19 is the account of the rich, young ruler who thought he was good enough to inherit the kingdom of heaven (vv. 16-20); however, when Jesus exposed how his heart was with his riches instead of God (vv. 21-22), the Lord went on to point out the impossibility of salvation by means of riches or any other human means (vv. 23-24). When asked who can be saved, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (vv. 25-26). Peter expressed his commitment to follow Jesus and asked what the disciples would receive (v. 27). Jesus responded by speaking of the esteemed place the twelve would be given and the tremendous blessings God would shower on all those who follow Him, both in this life and the life to come (vv. 28-29).

Jesus capped off this discussion (Mt. 19:30) with the same thought He would use as a conclusion to the parable of the laborers (Mt. 20:16) that the last would be first and the first last. In the first-century church (who read the book of Matthew), there were those who felt superior to others and thought themselves deserving of the first seats. The believing Pharisees thought the Gentiles to be behind them in the kingdom of God and tried to impose the requirements of Judaism on them to bring them up to their level (Acts 15:5). But these Pharisees needed to learn that their background in the old covenant did not make them superior to others in relation to Christ.

When those of us today who have been longtime members of the Lord’s church read about Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees, we should not be quick to feel too comfortable. We can look back over a lifetime of work for the Lord and be grateful for entering His vineyard early in life, but let us not look down on others who have lived many idle years outside of His service. God is gracious and gives eternal life as a gift (Rom. 6:23). All of our labors are the least we can do for Him who freely saved us; the result of our labors being that many souls may be saved, even late in life, should the part in which we rejoice.

-Mark Day

When the apostles were placed before the Sanhedrin, who reminded them about the council’s command to not teach anymore in the name of Christ, Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:29-31). In his bold preaching to these religious leaders, why didn’t Peter simply say “you crucified him” rather than using the more cumbersome phrase he does about hanging on a tree? Evidently, Peter wanted to conjure up in the minds of these Jewish leaders the connotations of Deuteronomy 21:22-23:  “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.”  His audience, familiar with these words, would draw the inference that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who died under God’s curse. Not only the original audience but all people should reach this conclusion in their hearts: “Jesus took my place on the cross.” It seems Luke maintained Peter’s particular phrasing here so that readers of Acts may draw this inference about the significance of the cross as well.

In his first epistle, Peter again employed the image of a tree in regard to Christ’s crucifixion, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). In addition to the tree language of Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Peter uses phrases from the description of God’s suffering servant in Isaiah 53; on the tree Jesus bore our sins and by his stripes we are healed. Readers of the Hebrew scriptures must understand the Messiah came to save us by His suffering. We were all under the curse of God, but Christ took the curse for us.

In dealing with Judaizing teachers, who were requiring all men to keep the law of Moses to be saved, Paul, recalling the curse of Deuteronomy 27:26, wrote, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them” (Gal. 3:10). There is no way to get out from under the curse of God on our own. The only way for us to be saved is for Jesus to take the curse for us. We avail ourselves of this blessing in following Him by faith. Paul went on to write: “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’” (Gal. 3:11-13).

Thus, while Peter was very bold to point out that the members of the Jewish council before whom he stood had murdered Jesus, he invoked the language about the tree to show that Jesus took even their place that they may be given the opportunity for repentance and remission of sins (Acts 5:30-31). God wants all men to be saved, even those who in their spiritual blindness are vehement enemies of His Son (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Let us be reminded that Christ took the curse for every person and pray that even our enemies would repent and receive forgiveness of sins.

-Mark Day

Throughout much of the New Testament, Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God. At Jesus’ trial, He told the Jewish leaders that He would be seated at the right hand of God (Lk. 22:66-69). Mark recorded that after His ascension into heaven that Christ sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19). Paul expressed that Jesus was sitting at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). Those who complete a detailed study of the book of Hebrews cannot help but notice the writers continued remembrance of Jesus sitting on the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). There is deep meaning in the fact Christ is now, and forever, seated at God’s right hand.

The highest place of honor was given to those who sat to the right hand of a king in ancient history. When Solomon became king of Israel, he prepared a seat for his mother on his right (1 Kgs. 2:19). Furthermore, we see the importance of the right hand when Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh should have been blessed with Jacob’s right hand as was his birthright. Jacob instead put his right hand on Ephraim. Joseph assumed that this was a mistake from his father because of his dim eyes, but Jacob made it clear that it was no minor mishap. God would bless the tribe of Ephraim greater than Manasseh (Gen. 48:10-20). As was stated previously, the greatest seat of honor in ancient times was the right. Those who sat on the right hand of a king had equal honor, dignity, and power as the one that sat them there. Jesus sitting on God’s right hand does not mean He is lesser than God in any degree; but that they are equal in all aspects (Eph. 1:19-23). Jesus Christ is God and let us never forget this truth (John 1:1-4)!

Emphasis of Christ sitting on His throne demands us to recognize two things; Jesus has completed His task and is ruling now. Jesus came to this earth to complete a task; that task was redeeming mankind from their sins (1 Cor. 15:1-3). Jesus’ death on the cross achieved total victory and the task was complete. The continued remembrance that Jesus is sitting shows that He finished what He set out to do. Is there time to sit for someone who has work to do? May we thank Christ each day that He bore our sins and completed His task! For now, He sits down; waiting for the Judgment Day when He will arise from His throne and return for His faithful Church (1 Cor. 15:22-26). Be thankful that Jesus completed redemption and sits on His throne, but also be ready for His return for we do not know when that shall be (Matt. 24:42-44). Do not lose sight that Jesus sitting on His throne also expresses that He rules now! The person that sits on the throne is the one who rules. Christ’s kingdom is His Church (Matt. 16:16-18). Jesus is the head of the Church (Eph. 1:22). His kingdom was established on the day of Pentecost when Peter first preached the Gospel (Acts 2). His Church is an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed and shall stand forever (Dan. 2:44-46). He is king now; His title is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:11-16). Jesus is sitting on His throne, watching and ruling His Church as a mighty king ought (Rev. 1:17-20).

Jesus has all honor, dignity, and power. He has completed the task He set out to do; redeeming mankind of their sins. He sits on His throne to the right of God ruling His kingdom now and forever. If you are not a part of His Church you have no part in His kingdom. One day, every knee will bow to the King and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Why not take care of this while on earth and receive a reward, instead of waiting for the Judgment Day when it will be too late.

The bulletin article next month will be a study of Jesus STANDING on the right hand of God when Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:56).

– Brandon Foresha

The Bible is God’s message revealed by the Holy Spirit through inspired men (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37). David referred to the work of the Holy Spirit in explaining the origin of the portions of Scripture he wrote. In 2 Samuel 23:1-2, he wrote, “Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: ‘The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.’” David claimed that the Holy Spirit spoke through him, putting the very words on his tongue. In Mark 12:36, Jesus corroborated this claim by His statement concerning the words of David found in Psalm 110, saying, “For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” The process of the Holy Spirit using men, such as David, to write the Old Testament was described by Peter in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit moved men to write the New Testament as well. While various means were employed by God to communicate His will in the Old Testament, in the New Testament He has spoken by His Son Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2). Inspired men, such as the apostles who heard Jesus themselves, were used by the Holy Spirit to produce the New Testament. We are not left with merely the claim that these individuals were speaking the message of God, but with authentication from God Himself that this message was from Him. This authentication is found in miracles which the Holy Spirit worked. In Hebrews 2:3-4, this question is asked: “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”  The salvation God provides to us now through His Son was first spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself while He was here on earth and was confirmed by those who heard Him. These were the apostles who accompanied Jesus from the baptism of John to the time of the resurrection, of which they were witnesses (Acts 1:22). Jesus did not reveal all that was to be included in the New Covenant while He was here on earth; there were more truths that the apostles could not yet bear, but they would be guided by the Holy Spirit who would remind them of what Jesus taught them and teach them the remaining portions of the saving truth God desired to reveal. Jesus promised His apostles in John 14:25-26, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Later, in John 16:13, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth. God bore witness to the veracity of their message that it was indeed from Him, “both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 2:4).

Thus, while around forty individuals were used in writing the Bible, there is really one author: God. He has revealed His will for us in the Bible and we can understand it (Eph. 3:4). This coming weekend, Eric Lyons will be here to speak on the abundant evidence for why we can trust the Bible as a reliable guide from God. Will you come?

-Mark Day

            And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8)

            This passage asks one of the questions found on the heart of the Lord Jesus, “will He find faith?” Archaeologists study ancient civilizations to see how they lived, what they valued, whom they worshipped, and what they thought. Jesus too examines our minds and hearts to see how we live, what we value, whom we worship, and what we think. I wonder how he finds us, what he sees in our lives.  Will he find faith?

            Those who watch American society can easily see the enormous changes in America, even in a generation. A Barna survey showed only 40 percent of American adults believe Jesus Christ lived a sinless life while he was on earth. Only 27 percent believe Satan is a real being or force to reckon with. A recent Pew Forum study revealed 42 percent of Christians in America say that atheism can nonetheless lead to eternal life. What would our grandparents have said about that? How could things change so quickly?

            Even the best of parents sometimes fail to reach their children. In our society where parents and church often have to compete with public schools and the media for the hearts of children, it is easy to see how children can grow up compromised or confused. When ungodly and secular agendas color and distort the truth, it is easy to see how younger generations can be deceived and fall into error.

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? The greatest challenge facing our children in the coming days is not sex, alcohol, or drugs. It is not the media or the internet. The greatest challenge is whether they will remain faithful to God.

I recently learned of a large, prominent denomination that boasted millions of members but had only 28 percent of the adherents attending church on any given Sunday. On many moral issues today, one can hardly see any difference between the lives of nominal Christians and the world.

Will he find parents involved in their children’s spiritual lives?  Will he find families sacrificing so they can give to the Lord? Will he find Sunday classes that dig deep into the Bible?  Will he find Christians sharing the gospel with their neighbors?

Will he find men and women who have learned to say no to the world, Christians who have put to death the deeds of the body (Rom. 8:12-13; Col. 3:5-11)? Will he find parents who have taken the time to explain the errors of evolution?  Will our children know there are some absolute moral truths? Will they be able to give a reason for the hope that lies within them, yet with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15)?

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

-Phil Sanders

(You can hear and see brother Phil on the “In Search of the Lord’s Way” TV program on WVAH, channel 11 every Sunday morning at 7:30am.)

-Jerry D. Sturgill