Slices
Prepare
‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8). Ponder God’s amazing and radical gift of grace.
Bible passage
The parable of the workers in the vineyard
20 ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3 ‘About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the market-place doing nothing. 4 He told them, “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” 5 So they went.
‘He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 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?”
7 ‘“Because no one has hired us,” they answered.
‘He said to them, “You also go and work in my vineyard.”
8 ‘When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.”
9 ‘The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 “These who were hired last worked only one hour,” they said, “and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.”
13 ‘But he answered one of them, “I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”
16 ‘So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
Explore
In our passage today, Jesus addresses his perplexing conclusion to Matthew 19 – ‘But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first’ (19:30) – with a parable that challenges our innate sense of justice and fairness. We expect hard work and long hours to be rewarded, and yet we perhaps forget the struggle of the unemployed or those unable to earn a living.
The story doesn’t explain the situation of the unhired workers but the radical generosity of the landowner, who recognises their inherent value, their need to provide for their families and perhaps their sense of hopelessness at remaining unemployed. I suspect that many of us identify with different characters in this parable, relating to our own experience of being employed or as an employer.
One of my great joys was watching Ron, at the age of 90, fall in love with Jesus. I remember celebrating with him as he was baptised – in the sea! He responded to God’s call at the end of the working day, but how wonderful to know he has received an equal measure of God’s reward. The landowner’s kindness and unexpected generosity are a powerful illustration of God’s undeserved and scandalous grace!
Respond
‘Gracious Father, knowing the infinite value you place on all people, help us to reflect your radical justice and grace within our own churches and communities.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 17,18; John 7
Pray for Scripture Union
Praise God for what he is doing in this school, working through young Christians new to faith! Please pray for the three boys who started the Christian Union as they move on from school, and for the young people who have taken on leading it. (This week's prayers relate to this article.)
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
A child's decision to trust Jesus is a moment to celebrate, but it's also the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. Journey to the Sacred Kingdom helps children aged 5–8 discover what it means to know God through his Word, grow in faith and walk with Jesus every day.
Following the adventures of Rock and River, children explore key Bible stories, discover who the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are and begin developing everyday faith habits through engaging reflections, colourful comics and interactive activities.
Give the young believers in your care a strong biblical foundation from the very beginning.
✓ Help new believers grow in God's Word
Introduce children to foundational biblical truths in a way they can understand, helping them build confidence in knowing God and following Jesus.
✓ Encourage faith that lasts beyond a single decision
Support children as they develop habits of prayer, Bible reading and trusting God, laying foundations for a lifelong relationship with Christ.
✓ A trusted discipleship resource for church and home
Perfect for parents, grandparents, children's leaders and churches seeking a biblically rooted follow-up resource after holiday clubs, children's ministry, family events, baptism or other moments when a child begins their journey with Jesus.
