Matthew 20:1-16

Jerry's sermon yesterday used Matthew 20:1-16.

He noted something which I did not think about before which then led me to other thoughts.

The landowner pays those hired last first, and in doing so he knows this will create a possible point of conflict with those hired first. (This is Chism's point)

He could have paid those hired first - first and they would have not known that those hired later got the same wage. In addition those hired last (and therefore paid first) they probably left and did not know that they were paid the same wage of those hired first. So although those hired last got the same wage and might think the landowner was either generous or made a mistake, those hired first (and paid last) saw the generosity of the landowner.

I could not help but think of this story and Hosea 11, a chapter about God's compassion despite Israel's ingratitude. The more God calls Israel the more they moved away from God. And yet God asks "How can I give you up?" The text goes on to say, "I will not execute my fierce anger" "for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath."

The landowner and God both are beyond generous and grace filled.

There are so many people who talk about God has to be "just", that is if there is an unrepentive sinner God has to punish that person because if God does not then God is not "just". This story in Matthew and this chapter in Hosea, give evidence to the fact that God is not "just" the way we think of what "just" is. "God is no mortal".

Perhaps that is why so many people (in and out of religion) cannot wrap their mind around the fact that God is radically grace oriented and not judgment oriented. Mortals are judgment oriented. That is one of the things that makes God, well, God. When we sing amazing grace, why do we not believe or truly affirm that grace really is amazing?

They say God cannot be God unless God is "just". What I am saying is that God cannot be God unless God is "grace".

I want to be grace oriented.

Shane Claiborn - Irresistible Revolution

"As we practice hospitality, there comes a point where the suffering around us drives us to ask what it would take to reimagine the world. We've all heard the saying "Give someone a fish and they'll eat for a day, but teach them to fish and they'll eat for the rest of their life." But our friend John Perkins challenges us to go farther. He says, "The problem is that nobody is asking who owns the pond." As we consider economics, some of us will give people fish. Others will teach people to fish. But still others must be looking at who owns the pond and who polluted it, for these are also essential questions for our survival. We must storm the fence that has been built around the pond and make sure everyone can get to it, for there are enough fish for all of us.

What if the Church was flatter?

I am reading "The World is Flat" by Thomas Freidman. I get so inspired when I read this book thinking of all the ways in which the church could and should change in order to reach people who find church antiquated and irrelevant. The thought of AHUMC beginning a business which employs the homeless in order to give them a job and lift themselves out of poverty is something I wish I knew how to do. What if we gave out micoloans? What if we were like those restaurants we hear about which employ the homeless? How do you do this? I think this is why I am still very hopeful for the church. The church has so many resources, skill sets and abilities which I do not have. I wish I were better at pitching ideas and getting people on board with them. Is that the role of a pastor of a church community?