Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative to present Jesus in the context he walked in with the unknown disciple that narrates introducing my thoughts and sparking more ideas with his questions. Enjoy.
While we walked, I listened to a few of the people walking with us talking about the last being first. Jesus’ comment confused them. One of them asked Jesus what he meant by it.
“For 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.“
A day’s wage. That’s fair, I thought.
“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 afternoon 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.’
“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.’
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came, and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘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.’
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 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?’
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.“
Oh! Benevolence is praised and valued. This landowner has not wronged the complaining workers by showing extra charity to others. The landowner shames the complainers, showing that they are complaining about kindness. Grace is not fair; it is generous.
Cultural Backgrounds Bible
A Ronin's Journey 
I dance back and forth on how well I get this idea. I desperately want to be a gentle kind of person who doesn’t push my own self forward, but am tempted by the thoughts “if I don’t look out for my rights, no-one will” … especially with our recent travel experiences.
Yesterday I read/highlighted Proverbs 25:6-7 which is relevant – “Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.”
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I try to balance it by being really good at ___________, and if I’m noticed, great. If not, I know how good I am (except I find it has its own dangers).
I’m also conflict averse so that helps or hurts. Not sure which…
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