The last shall be first

[aspen]

Matt 20:16

Why do so many Christians see this verse as vindication for perceived persecution in life?

It appears obvious to me that Jesus is talking about equality in Heaven rather than exalting those who experience persecution in life

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Well, I see that Jesus is teaching there is no human, worldly, egoic logic
in the Mind of God, even relating to Heaven.
Read on...the Father can do anything He wants....can't He?

Also, if you thought you were the first and deserve more? Foregetaboutit.
Don't look at anyone else and what "they got". Go about your own business.
You were given what was said. Also, what do you know about the other person?Nothing. A big zero.
Deeper still, It is an example of taking the mind out of duality.

 

[Dcopymope]

Matt 20:16

Why do so many Christians see this verse as vindication for perceived persecution in life?

It appears obvious to me that Jesus is talking about equality in Heaven rather than exalting those who experience persecution in life

(Matthew 20:1-16) "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. {2} And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {3} And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, {4} And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. {5} Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. {6} And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? {7} They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. {8} So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. {9} And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. {10} But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. {11} And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, {12} Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {13} But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? {14} Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. {15} [Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? {16} So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

Everyone wants to feel like they are special, and deserve a bigger reward simply based on the fruits of their labor. They preach a sort of semi-works based gospel and don't even realize it. They are convinced that what the saints will be rewarded with in the new kingdom to come will be based on exactly that, the work they perceive they have done for the Lord, or on what they have suffered for his namesake. Notice that the scripture in question speaks of no such thing, stating on no uncertain terms that the kingdom to come will in fact reward all equally, which fits with what Peter said, that God is not a respecter of persons. So yes, you are correct that no one gets rewarded more than others simply because you got your teeth kicked in harder than everyone else for the Lord. I don't know where people get this crap from, its just another example of people taking one little verse out of an entire chapter or scripture to rob it of its context.

(Acts 10:34-35) "¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: {35} But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

 

[Armadillo]

Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

The above verse is about Israel being first called, firstborn, Exodus 4:22, Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,

Israel, first called but last saved and the Gentiles, last called but first saved, Acts 13:46, Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Is the firstborn son the most deserving, the rightful heir? Did Jacob cheat Esau out of the firstborn blessing? Which son did Jacob give his right-hand blessing to? The younger one, :) and these examples are shadows of what Jesus did for us, at Calvary.

 

[aspen]

Matthew 20:16, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

The above verse is about Israel being first called, firstborn, Exodus 4:22, Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,

Israel, first called but last saved and the Gentiles, last called but first saved, Acts 13:46, Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Is the firstborn son the most deserving, the rightful heir? Did Jacob cheat Esau out of the firstborn blessing? Which son did Jacob give his right-hand blessing to? The younger one, :) and these examples are shadows of what Jesus did for us, at Calvary.

Wow, we sure must be special.....

Christ died for us all

 

[Armadillo]

Wow, we sure must be special.....

Yes.

Christ died for us all

Yes.

"Thinking is difficult, that is why most people judge". - Carl Gustave Jung

Yes.

 

[Stranger]

The parable in (Matt. 20:1-16) is given in response to Peters question in (Matt. 19:27) concerning rewards for following and serving Christ. Christ responded to Peter's question in (19:28-30) closing with the same verse found in (20:16). So rewards and service in the kingdom are the subject, not salvation.

Equality is certainly in view here. But not equality that says I am as good as you and you are no better than I. But an equality that says, we deserve nothing and can do nothing except the Lord empower us. We have been shown grace by God and all is of Him. Our rewards are of Him. No matter what the rewards given are, there is no difference in the persons. None of them merit it.

This is why, I believe, the last part of (Matt. 20:16) is important. "...for many be called, but few chosen." Don't set your attention on obtaining reward for what you do. Praise God He has chosen you, for many He did not.

Stranger

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Everyone wants to feel like they are special, and deserve a bigger reward simply based on the fruits of their labor. They preach a sort of semi-works based gospel and don't even realize it. They are convinced that what the saints will be rewarded with in the new kingdom to come will be based on exactly that, the work they perceive they have done for the Lord, or on what they have suffered for his namesake. ...

Everyone?
Um...no they don't.

 

[Dcopymope]

Everyone?
Um...no they don't.

Ok, some people.....that better for you?

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Ok, some people.....that better for you?

Yes, it is my darling...oh I forgot...I'm not in couples therapy. *wink*
xo

 

[bbyrd009]

lol

 

[bbyrd009]

Ok, some people.....that better for you?

me, at least, yes. uncomfortably accurate description imo

 

[aspen]

Everyone?
Um...no they don't.

Well, to be fair....

People who think they are special also believe they speak and feel and think for everyone else

 

[bbyrd009]

Well, to be fair....

People who think they are special also believe they speak and feel and think for everyone else

or at least that they have somehow been called to, ya

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Oh...I dunno about 'special'...this is just a common way people talk in America...they say,
"Ya know how every Thanksgiving you eat too much till you want to barf?'
It's like an excited little kid.
It' just the way of thinking we are all connected and feel the same things.
It's just that we all don't, that's all.
No biggy.
Dcopy's cool. ♡