Jesus said,] «The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
«About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
«He went out again about noon and about three in the after-noon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
» ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
«He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ »
Matthew 20:1-7
We’ll read the rest of this parable next week, but there’s something we can learn from the first part. Jesus (the landowner) needs workers in His fields (the earth) first thing in the morning, and at the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours. Basically, all day long.
Did you notice what those hired at the eleventh hour said when the landowner asked them why they were just standing around? They responded, «Because no one has hired us.»
Juniors, don’t ever think you’re «unemployed» when it comes to saving others for the kingdom. Jesus wants you out in the field, demonstrating God’s love to everyone.
So, get up, get out, and get busy. There’s work to do!