Sunday August 22^nd. 2010

 The Eleventh Hour!

 Matthew 20:1-16

“The last will be first and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).

                 Just prior to today’s parable, the man who had come to Christ was young and the disciples knew he was very rich. He was accustomed to being “first” on the societal ladder. He had come to ask Jesus what he might do to earn eternal life. He realized that something was missing in his life even though he appeared to have it all. He told Jesus that he had kept all the commandments and that he was a moral and spiritual person. But Jesus laid down a condition that he could not accept. “If you would like to be perfect,” Jesus said, “go sell what you have and give to the poor and you shall have treasure in heaven. And, come, follow Me!” Because the young man had great possessions he went away sad.

                 Peter seized the moment! This was his opportunity to point out how he had left all that he had to Jesus. “Look,” he said, speaking on behalf of himself and the other disciples, “We have left all things and followed you. What, therefore, shall we have?” A bemused smile crossed Jesus’ face. He sat down under an olive tree and the disciples sat also. Jesus began, “Everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my name’s sake shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” Then he added, “And many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” Jesus began to unfold one of the strangest parables of all – the story of the eleventh hour.

                 It was about a rich farmer who kept going out at various hours of the day to hire day laborers to work in his field. The early workers agreed to a fair day’s pay and went into the vineyard to work. As the day wore on there was need for more help. The farmer kept hiring day workers but said nothing to these about their pay. Peter, of course, was delighted. He and the rest of the disciples had come in early to follow Christ. They believed that they would receive a greater wage than the rest. But, to their dismay, the parable did not end as they thought it might.

 At the end of the day, the master paid all the workers an equal amount of pay!

 Those who came in at the eleventh hour received the same as those who had labored all day!

                 The early laborers protested! “These last ones have worked only one hour and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden all day!”

 The master replied, “Friend, I did you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for your wage? Take what is yours and go away. I will give to the last even as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Do you look for evil in the good that I do?”

 Then he said, “So shall the last be first and the first be last.”

                 Jesus stood up. He had made His point. The twelve saw Him for who he really was. They had learned about the divinely ridiculous, loving-kindness, of the Savior that surpasses all the puny estimates that humanity can ever reach. It was a glimpse into the infinite depths of God’s love.

                 Then, with a nod, Jesus beckoned them to follow Him. They fell in step. They kept their eyes on the Master and followed.

Sincerely,
Peter G. St. Don

 Prayer - http://www.allaboutprayer.org/

Sunday September 4^th. 2010

Turning Dreams Into Reality!

 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick;
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life”
(Proverbs 15:12).

            I’ve always loved Proverbs. By reading and reflecting on the pithy statements of Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived, one will discover life-transforming power in every area of life. By “hanging out” with Solomon (search) we get to hang out with wisdom that enriches our lives.

            “Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”  Hope is tangible and powerful. Hope is the confident belief that a goal, desire, or promise will come true. If we don’t have a specific vision or if our dreams and desires are vague, it will be difficult to maintain sustained hope over a period of time. Indeed, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”  When we lose hope we lose energy and motivation. Often this is followed by depression or anxiety. The consequences of deferring hope in others can lead to the death of the relationship.

            Henry Ford (search) believed he could build automobiles that any family could afford. He was hired as chief engineer to the fledgling Detroit Automobile Company. One day the board of the company told Henry Ford to put his vision on hold. They wanted to build cars for the wealthy. This is “hope deferred.” Two years later the company failed. Ford was fired. The company did not produce a single car for the market. Deferring hope put Ford’s vision on hold and made his heart sick.

 *other Henry Ford quotes:  (search)

            Ford went on to found the Ford Motor Company. By 1928 one out of every two cars in the world was a Ford! “Desire fulfilled is a tree of life!”  If your heart has been made sick over deferred hope you may allow God’s renewing power to bring a new level of hope to your life. As Solomon said, “Desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.”

 *other Solomon quotes:  (search)

            For years, engineers and scientists have dreamed of a perpetual source of energy (search), one that generates more power than it consumes. Imagine driving a car that had a perpetual source of energy. The truth is that God IS the Perpetual Source of energy. We can tap into this Source each day. By inviting God’s Spirit to energize us we receive renewed hope and vision. God is available to assist us in our greatest hopes and dreams! Indeed – our dreams can be turned into reality!

 Sincerely,
Peter G. St.Don    

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