Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Along with service and obedience to the
Lord, comes a heart full of joy!
There are
at least four parables that Jesus told regarding service and obedience. The first one is found in Matthew
20:1-16. The passage is too long to read
in our short time here today, but I encourage you to read these verses. Jesus told of a landowner who hired men
throughout the day to work in his vineyard. At the end of day when it was time
to get paid, each one received the same thing---regardless if they had worked
an hour or all day.
Does that
sound fair? And where is the JOY in that
story? This parable is not about rewards. It’s
about salvation. It is a strong teaching about grace and God’s
generosity. We shouldn’t begrudge those who turn to God in the last moments of
life, because in reality, not one of us deserves
eternal life.
Many people we don’t expect to see
in the Kingdom will be there! The criminal who repented as he was dying (Luke
23:40-43) will be there along with people who have believed and served God for
many years. Do you resent God’s gracious acceptance of the despised, the
outcast, the sinners who have turned to him for forgiveness? Are you ever jealous of what God has given to
another person? Instead, we should focus
on God’s gracious benefits to us, and be thankful for what we have. (Life Application Bible, NIV…footnote,
Matthew 20: 15)
The JOY in this parable is that
salvation is offered to each of us, no matter what our past! What an
illustration of God’s love, grace and joy.
Accept Christ and find joy!
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