Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the vine-dressers) Part 2.
We continue this parable where Christ is telling the chief priest, the elders, and the scribes a story about a topic that they can relate to. He talks about a householder, a home owner, who remodels his home to accommodate a vineyard. The owner wants to have grapes that grow and pressed into a wine that he can enjoy. He is not able to oversee the entire process of the growth of the grapes and the pressing into wine, so he leases the vineyard out to workers who will be paid to manage it for him.
He goes on a long far away journey for business that keeps him away from his vineyard for some years while the grapes are growing and the wine is being pressed. Christ tells this story because he wants the rulers of the day to understand how it relates to them. They are the vine-dressers who were supposed to manage the vineyard for the householder. But when the fruit season drew near, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his fruits. And the vine-dressers seized his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Surely this was wrong on the part of the vine-dressers. They were hired to work the vineyard and to prepare the wine when the grapes were ripe. They were hired to watch over the vineyard and prepare the fruit for the householder's return. They were given the charge to provide and protect the householders property for which they were being paid. Why did they turn on the householder? Why did they beat and torture the householders servants? What motive could they have for doing such?
Did they consider themselves in charge? Did they consider themselves as owners? Did they desire to have the fruits of the vineyard for themselves, knowing that it belonged to another? What motive could have persuaded them to take such heinous actions? We turn around and see some of the same actions today? Crime is rampant in the streets. Burglaries, robberies, theft, break-ins, all sorts of actions that indicate the same behavior taken by the vine-dressers of the past are still here today.
Why do we have to steal? Why do we have to rob? Why do we have to take by force that which does not belong to us but to others? We see, we want, and we take, seems to be the motto, irrespective of who it belongs to. There is the thrill of it all. And the chase to get away from being caught becomes a thrill to be remembered and repeated until caught.
If we only knew who we are. If we only knew what is given to us. If we only believed that we are already rich beyond our wildest imagination then we would know that we do not have to steal or take that which does not belong to us. More than anything of value on this earth, Christ has given us life anew and this is the most precious gift anyone can give to us. The rest is dirt. All the diamonds and jewels, and money and fame cannot compare to the treasures stored in heaven for those who love the Lord. Nothing can satisfy the hunger, the want, the desire that burns within, except he who has given us life. And it is he who has prepared a place for us in his kingdom. Take not! Steal not! Rob not! Be not that one who believes that he has not when he has all. Christ awaits with open arms to provide for you. Christ awaits with open heart to forgive you. Christ awaits with open spirit to love you with a love that no earthly gift can fulfill. Open your heart, open your mind, take the leap of faith and he will come and be with you!
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Our paragraph topic is:
(Parable of the laborers in the vineyard)
Part 19.
We have been talking about the laborers in the vineyard and how their minds and their hearts were changed when it came time for payment for the services rendered. Christ told this parable to his disciples in comparing this tale to the kingdom of heaven. He said that the kingdom of heaven is like a house-holder who went out to the market place seeking workers for his vineyard.
Christ was seeking workers here on earth to do the work for his father, the house-holder. The labor was needed here on earth to carry the message to the people. Christ would not be here and he needed someone to carryon his work to lead the people and to speak with them about the Father. He needed followers. But he wanted those followers to know what he was asking them to do. And he needed them to understand the reward that was being offered them. For once the agreement was made then outside influences would enter and seek to change the minds of the laborers just as it did in the parable. In the parable the question becomes: "Didst thou not agree with me for a denarius?"
Agree with me. Let us have an understanding. Let us come to know each other and then we will have an agreement. The laborers agreed to the compensation but later wanted to change the contract. They became angered, and bitter and disgruntled about what they had agreed to and this was the central issue. They saw that others got more for less work. They saw that others who came after them received the same amount as they for less work. They agreed to the amount from the beginning but later wanted more than what they had agreed.
Christ wants his disciples to understand that they needed to have an understanding. They needed to agree with him on what was needed, what had to be done. For the work was plentiful but the laborers were few. And then came the outside influences that would seek to change them, seek to turn them around, seek to change the agreement, change the understanding that they have. And by influencing the change in the understanding then the door is open to bring forth another mind different from the mind that made the agreement.
The agreement is a symbol of who we are in Christ. Know thyself. We are in him and not apart from him. He is with us and we are not alone. His love transforms and brings us to the knowledge of who we are. For we were created in the image and likeness of God our Father. And Christ is his only begotten son. And through the passion and the sacrifice of Christ our Lord and Savior we have been restored to life. Yet the life that we have is not known. The life we have is not seen. The life we have is not believed by many and that allows the influence of the outside to come in and seek to change that which is given to us.
Seek to know thyself. In that knowledge you will find the truth of who you are in Christ. We are more than the physical and yet it is the physical that binds us, that holds us, that limits us to not comprehend who we are. Death has been conquered. It does not hold us. It only frees us from the physical and transforms us to our true selves in Christ. Close the door to the outside. Open the door to the inside. And within what is within you will see the truth of who you are in Christ. For Christ came as a light to the world. And he left that you may become his light. Open your heart and see the light that is within you and Christ will send the Advocate to be with you forever.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard) Part 9.
Our story continues. Christ is telling his disciples about the house-holder who has property and needs help to harvest the crop. He has gone to the market several times during the day and found workers standing around with no work. Even at the last hour of the day he has gone and found workers without work. He is puzzled as to why they are still standing around without work and he asks them why. They tell him that they are still waiting because no man has come to hire them. They are still waiting at the last hour hoping that someone will come to hire them that they may work.
Our story is one of simple theme. It is meant to bring home principles that even the simple man can understand. Every man wants to work to earn wages that he may provide for himself and family. It is the nature of man. Idleness is not in man's nature. He needs something to do to occupy his time. In past times man worked on the land, planting, growing, and harvesting his food. He built his home, cared for his livestock, and provided warmth to his home. He hunted for his food in the forest and sought companionship for himself with a mate. This is the nature of man, the nature of his need to be productive. So when they hoped for work in the market place, the house-holder, "He said to them, 'Go you also into the vineyard.' "
So the house-holder wants all that seek work to find work. He wants all who hope to not be idle to have work. The house-holder has need of harvesters and seeks to hire all who want to work. This is what we can draw from this parable so far. For we have only talked about working and finding workers who hope to work. There are those who seek to work and there are those who seek to be idle. There are those who hope for employment and those who do not. And then there are those who are work motivated and need no man to hire them but are themselves self hired. They are the ones who know that there is a harvest and that there is need for workers.
Do you know about the harvest? Are you one of the harvesters or just an idler? There is work to be done. There is need for workers. The rewards are great. The benefits are plentiful. Do you have the skills? Are you willing to work? There are many positions that are in need of filling. All you need is an open heart and a desire to be counseled. It does not matter the day or the time, the need is ever present. It does not matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, black or white, Asian or Latino. All are called to be witnesses to the harvest that is in need of workers.
What does it take? It only takes your willingness to follow Christ and your willingness to be a witness to his love. Everyday you may be called upon to let him in. Everyday you may be called upon to show his love. Everyday you may be called upon to lend a hand, to give a word, to spare a dime, to give some food, to see beyond what may be apparent externally but to see what is internal that belongs to him. For we are all created in his image. We are all spiritual beings and not physical. And within the external body is the spirit and life of God our Father. And that is what we are called to love, to see, to believe, to know that we are all alike.
We are not Black, or White, or Jew, or Gentile, or Asian, or Latino or any race, or color or religion. We are all spiritual beings created in his image and given life, a second chance, through the love and sacrifice of Christ Jesus our Savior. So if we can reflect what is within us outward, others can see and experience that which is within us. Then we become workers for the vineyard, attracting others and showing them the way to eternal life given us by Christ our savior through God our Father. For he is the one true ever living God. And he is our creator and our Father, and our provider, and our protector. Open the door to your heart and let him in. Seek that which is within you and know the truth of who you are in him. The light of life will shine forth and others will see that which is within you. Be the worker!
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard) Part 7.
In the parable that Christ told his disciples, the house-holder has gone out early in the morning, mid morning, and several other times before noon to hire workers for his vineyard. Five times he went out to the market place and found workers. He was puzzled as to why they were standing about idle. He hired all that were present when he went out to the market place only to come back later to find more workers standing about without something to do.
Christ tells this story to his disciples because he wants them to understand that they are the same as the workers in the market place and the house-holder is the same as God seeking workers to tend his vineyard of souls. He wanted them to understand that they should not stand about idle waiting for work to come when there is work to be had in the vineyard. He tells them what the house-holder told the workers: "And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?' "
This was the message that Christ wanted his disciples to understand. He wanted them to know that they did not have to be idle. They did not have to stand about everyday with nothing to do. There was plenty of work to do for God. The kingdom of heaven is in need of laborers to bring in the harvest. The kingdom of heaven has fruit that is in need of harvest. The kingdom of heaven is open that those who seek it can find it.
Are you a laborer? Do you work for the kingdom? Some would say that this message is a battle cry for those who would carry the message to the ends of the earth and convert all to become Christians. But this is not the will of the creator. This is not the demand of our God. It is not the desire of God our Father and that of Christ our savior that his message is forced upon all. It is not the desire of God that all are forced to become believers. Christ's passion is that of love. Our Father is a God of love and compassion. His will is not to force but to love. His will is not to command but to show. His will is not to demand but to be an example to those who do not know, to those who do not understand, to those in the dark.
Our labor is to live our life, according to the will of the Father, that Christ has given us. Those who believe and know the truth of who they are in Christ are examples for the world to see. Those who walk with the spirit have their work assigned to them. Those who are filled with the light of life are the laborers in the vineyard and know what needs to be done. They are the ones who have the skills. They are the ones who have the knowledge. They are the ones who are filled with the light of life that shines from within. They are the ones who are not idle workers, standing around waiting for work.
The house-holder needs laborers. The vineyards needs workers. The light of Christ and the love of the Holy Spirit seeks you. Do not stand idle when there is work to be completed. Do not wait for the harvest to spoil when it needs to be picked. Christ calls. The Holy Spirit seeks. The love of God our Father fills those who want to know. Your assignment awaits. I have mine. Come! Receive your work assignment and end your idle stand.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard) Part 5.
What is just? What is fair? What is honest? What is good? What is right or wrong? We see and ask these questions on a daily basis. Christ told his disciples a parable that raised all of these questions. Why did he do this? He wanted them to have an understanding that was not openly available to everyone. Theirs was the understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Theirs was the knowledge that was not available to wise men. Theirs was the vision of the Christ in his full glory. Theirs was the insight given them by God our Father.
They did not yet posses all that was given to them, but the seeds were planted. They would witness the coming forth of the fruit. Christ spoke of a house-holder who needed workers in his vineyard. He spoke to his disciples in plain terms that they could understand. And yet underlying those plain term was the fruit that would later blossom into the understanding and insight given to them by the grace of God. So the house-holder hired workers and agreed to pay them what was just. "So they went. And again he went out about the sixth, and about the ninth hour, and did as before."
The house-holder called his workers, even in the middle of the day. He saw them standing idle in the market place and he called them to work. Christ calls his workers. He calls them at all times of the day. And he agrees to pay them what is just. He does this again and again and again. No matter what the time of day he calls workers to come and work in his vineyard. Are you a worker? Are you a weed? Are you the fruit that needs to be harvested? How do you fit into the kingdom of heaven?
The door is open to all who want to come. The requirements are easy. Anyone can qualify. The choice is yours to make if you understand the offer. There is another offer also, the offer of the world. It is the one we are born into. It is the one we live with. It is the one that surrounds us daily. But one must rise above what is seen. One must view beyond what is obvious. One must change the perspective to see what is hidden. We have a choice. Some understand that choice early on. Some find that choice later in life. And some struggle with that choice only to not understand. And then there are those who see the choice, know the choice, but cannot make the choice.
Can you make the choice? Can you choose to be the one? Can you accept the choice of who you are in Christ? The world will blind you. The world will deceive you. The world will seek to turn you away from your choice. But the spirit cries out in you. The spirit burns in you for fulfillment. The spirit within you knows the truth of who you are. Can you seek it? Can you find it? Can you know the truth of who you are in Christ? The choice is yours to make. The thief is out there seeking to steal your choice. Be careful! He will not announce himself to you. He will not knock at your door. He will come and take you away without your having a choice. And then you will know.
Christ calls you. Christ loves you. Christ gave his life for you that you would have life. Seek him and know. Know him and love. Be with him and be fulfilled. The spirit cries out for you. The spirit awaits for you. The spirit is within you waiting for you to open the door and say: "Come in!"
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
