NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
LESSON 12.—MARCH 22.—THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD.
27 “Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and followed Thee: what then shall we have? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. 30 But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last. 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the market-place idle; and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. 4 And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 5 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 6 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard. 8 And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay 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 And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, 12 These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. 13 But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take up that which is thine, and go thy way: it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. What circumstance opened the way for the parable of the laborers?
2. Unto what did Jesus liken the kingdom of heaven in this parable?
3. What is the householder represented as doing?
4. When did he hire the first laborers? What agreement did he make with them?
5. At what other hours of the day did he hire laborers? What reward did he offer these?
6. What did he say to those whom he found idle at the eleventh hour? What was their reply?
7. How did his offer to these compare with the promise made to those who began earlier in the day?
8. When even was come, what instruction did the Lord of the vineyard give his steward?
9. How were the laborers rewarded? What complaint was made by those who had labored all day? What reason did they give for this?
10. What reply did they receive? What application did Jesus make?
By reading carefully the last fifteen verses of Matthew 19, the event which led up to this parable is made very plain. A rich young man, coming to Jesus, had been told, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me.” The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ comments concerning the rich, as they had been taught to look upon this class as favorites of heaven.
Peter immediately connected the action of the young man and Christ’s words with their experience as disciples, and asked what they, who had forsaken all and followed Him, were to receive.
After a promise which breathes hope to every true disciple, Jesus illustrates by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard the true motive that should prompt all sacrifice. The reward is not of works, but of grace. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:5. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5.
