THE ELEVENTH HOUR MIRACLE.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE ELEVENTH HOUR MIRACLE.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matthew 20:1-16

*For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.*

*And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.*

*And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,*

*And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.*

*Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.*

*And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?*

*They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.*

*So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.*

*And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.*

*But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.*

*And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,*

*Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.*

*But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?*

*Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.*

*Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?*

*So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Jesus highlights the importance of *"....the first and the last....."* as one.

Rev 22:13 *I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.*

*Scripture Commentaries..*

The parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matt 20:1-16 teaches us the essence of

Jesus as "*....the first and the last..."*.

First there are no late miracles. There is an eleventh hour when though, previously you were not found, but will finally be found and recognized.

Before God, having or receiving a blessing in the last is not late.

The parable tells us of a houseowner who hires laborers throughout the day, paying those hired last the same "penny" a day as those who worked all day. 

Secondly, it teaches us that God does not evaluate rewards the way we do.

We understand rewards as "first come, first served"* or "the early bird catches the worm". Before God those who receive last are not worse than the first.

There is no delay with God as we call delay.

There is no 'firstman or lastman' with God. His miracle is just as the same as the first.

Though children of men may celebrate or wish early miracles, their rewards before God are just as good as those who receive last.

Jesus is both the first and the last. He protects the first and the one who takes the last position.

He does not work or evaluate by duration of how long you have been in service as we do but any faithful worker is rewarded

regardless of his "hiring time" or perceived contribution.

Thirdly, the parable is arguably one of Jesus' teachings that protects the underprivileged.

Never give up. It is never too late.

Some people are not in service or active participation, not because they do not want to, but because they do not have the opportunity. They are not lazy but are just not opportuned.

The workers hired at the last minute (or the eleventh hour) did not have the privilege of being hired.

After the landowner continued to hire additional workers at the third, sixth, and ninth hours he finally, at the eleventh hour, finds men standing idle and asks why they have not been hired. They say, *"....Because no man hath hired us..."*

He hired them and sends them to work just as those hired earlier and when it was time to pay, he instructs his steward to pay everyone the same amount: a penny. 

In the Kingdom some are privileged to be in service earlier or higher than others because of certain privileges like family relations , long time familial relationship etc whereas there are some with equal abilities but not relationally privileged.

It is the last month of the year.

Believe God. He saves the best for last.

John 2:10 *“Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine, and when men have drunk well, then that which is worse; but thou hast kept the good wine until now.”*

*Remorse corner.*

'The eleventh hour' is another word for a last hour miracle. You are 'just in time' for your miracle!

*Call to Word action.*

Do not lose hope. God is not late on you. You are just as equal as the first both here and in eternity to come.

The ultimate reward of eternal life will be shared equally by all believers, regardless of years or time of service.

Matt 20:10, 14 *But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.*

*"......l will give unto this last, even as unto thee.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Though we celebrate longtime service. It is not disallowed by God but there is no longtime service awards with God.

*Prayer.*

Lord, remember me and save the best for me in Jesus name.

Good morning all and a happy New Month of December. Our month of *ELEVENTH HOUR MIRACLE*.

God bless you.

Shalom.