Greeneville Seventh-day Adventist Church: It's not fair. Have you ever heard that before? If you have more than one child at home, you've heard that before. It would usually start at the breakfast table in my house. You know, if you give a child a grape, then there's a chance at that toddler stage they could swallow it and get lodged. And so all the experts say you should slice the grape in half or quarters for the small children. And so we were trying to be good parents and did such. And so here's a handful of grapes for Joshua and here's a handful for Rachel three years younger. And she would quickly do a count. I should have known then she would be an accounting major. But she went to account and we'd hear, that's not fair. He got more than I did. And I'd come back, well, he's bigger than you. Well, it's not fair. I can't help it. Or he's older than you. It's not fair. So we dutifully count quarter pieces of grapes for each child to make it fair. Have you ever said it's not fair? If you ever had a sibling, you've said that. If you've lived very long, you've said that. The fact is with children and adults, no two can be treated the same because no two children or adults are the same. Even identical twins. Every parent knows that what worked with one child does not work with the other one. They're different. then they become teenagers. there's no one more obsessed with fairness than a teenager. I remember being in academy, high school age, anything that we didn't think was right. If a teacher treated this one different, that's not fair and we'd be incensed. We wouldn't just be incensed about stuff like that or a call on the ball field. We would be angry. or if we saw what was going on in the world and the news, that's not right. It's not fair. And we would be right. I would tell my high school students at the first day of the year, I am not gonna treat you all the same. Don't grumble about it. Because as teenagers, you pride yourself on being different than everybody else, right? I'm different, yeah, we're different than the adults. We're different than, we're different. So why should I treat you the same if you're claiming to be different? So I'm gonna treat you differently. To say that I will like you all equally would be empty words. Because I will not like you all equally. I will love you all, but some of you will make that even hard to do. but I will treat you fairly even though I don't treat you the same. At least I will make that attempt. The inclination is to say, that's not fair. And the implication, the inclination is to reply, life's not fair. Get over it. Ever since the enemy claimed dominion of this world, fairness has disappeared. You may remember the news story happened a few years back. There was a school bus accident in Tennessee, down near Harrison, about 12 miles from where my brother lives. And the bus driver and a seven-year-old girl were killed. And many others were injured, including the bus driver's daughter. The driver of a utility truck lost control and hit the school bus head on. I watched one report where a woman, she was holding her child and she was talking about how her children on the bus were not hurt. So she said in her gratitude, and I don't blame her for being grateful, she said, angels were protecting them. I was thrilled for the safety of her kids, but couldn't help but wonder, what does this make other parents think? The ones that had kids that were hurt, or the one that had a child that didn't make it? That the angels were somehow not protecting them? That's not fair! And we don't know why. Sometimes God just tells that guardian angel, withhold your hand right now. We don't know. But it's not fair. It doesn't seem like it. It's not fair because of what Satan has done in this world. There would be no death if it wasn't for him. Fairness is really not the question. But as we shall see, God is about to do something that seems unfair, that actually straightens out all the unfairness that we have been plagued with for over 6,000 years. Trust me. There's so much unfair. Yesterday, I'm driving past people's homes, and I'm just thinking about people in each home wondering what their circumstances are, what they are facing, what struggles they are going through, what unfairness that family has had to deal with, or that family, because it's nothing new. I go past cemeteries all the time, every day, unfortunately I'm in those cemeteries all too often conducting a service. And I look around at all the headstones and think, how much grief has happened right here? Oh, that grief over there was 50 years ago. That grief was 100 years ago. but grief nonetheless, something unfair happened to somebody and there's a monument to that unfairness. Would you like to see that come to an end? Turn with me to Matthew chapter 19. We're continuing in our series on Matthew. Matthew chapter 19. Now I said it's usually young people who vocalize how they feel about life being unfair, but adults, we've come to really kind of, well not accept the fact, but realize, well there's not much I can do about it. Matthew 19, Jesus begins to level the playing field and he starts with the little ones. so that they will be treated more fairly. Matthew 19, look at verse 13. Then little children, you remember those that are always crying foul because they didn't get enough for breakfast? Then little children were brought to him that he might put his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, let the little children come to me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. and he laid his hands on them and departed from there. Shortly after we arrived in our new home in Kenya, I had a strange experience. I was visiting an orphanage with our students and several children, they learned who I was. He's the new pastor. And they learned that. And children closed in around me with bowed heads. What's this? I don't know what's going on. I felt rather awkward standing there with all these boys and girls with their heads bowed around me. And I looked around for help. And there was a missionary over there, they'd been there a lot longer, he motioned to me. Touch them. Put your hands on them. And suddenly I kinda felt like Jesus put my hands on the heads of children. And I did this, I was like, this is weird, I don't know how to bless, I've never blessed a child. Other than child dedication or something, I don't know, what am I doing here? And I'm putting my hands on all of these African children's heads. And they weren't expecting any more than that. As soon as I touched one, they'd run off and go play. But they would wait for that blessing. We need to bless our kids. Yes, they sure bless us. Remember from last week, this event in scripture happens right after Jesus answers questions about divorce. Children unfairly are hurt most in that situation. Jesus shows that children should be much more of a priority than they are. That they should be looked up to and blessed. The greatest blessing children can have in this unfair world are parents who raise them to love Jesus, both by word and example. There are no such things as perfect parents. I know. But we can point to a perfect savior. There are many parents in this world who are unable to raise their children for various circumstances, most often divorce, but praise the Lord for the power of prayer. Even if you can't be with your child, God can. Look at verse 16. Now behold, one came and said to him, good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? So he said to him, why do you call me good? No one is good, but one, that is God. That verse ever confuse you before? That's me. Some use it to claim that Jesus is saying that he's not God. He says there's only one that's good and that's God. Why are you calling me good? But then it dawned on me. Jesus is using this question to probe the mind of the man who's come to him. Why are you calling me good? Are you admitting that I am God? Hmm. Are you claiming that I am the Messiah because you've called me good? Because if you are, you're right. There is only one that is good and the Father and I are one. Why do you call me good? Why is he probing this man's thoughts? Because he is about to call this man to become his disciple. Do you believe I'm the Messiah? I'm about to call you. That's what God's doing with us too. Do you believe I am who I say I am? I'm calling you. Look at verse 17, continuing, but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. Wow. Sounds legalistic. We'll get into that. He said to him, which ones? Jesus said, you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness. honor your father and your mother and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, all these things I have kept from my youth, what do I still lack? Jesus said to him, if you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come follow me. Now there's the call. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. So this man comes to Jesus with a question. Matthew says that he is both young and rich. That just shouldn't be allowed. Okay? You know, they say wealth is wasted on the old. Well, you know, the old man that's wealthy, he's content with his minivan. Young person, I want three Ferraris. But he is both young and rich. Luke adds that he's a ruler. Mark adds that he runs up to Jesus and falls on his knees implying that he is both eager and devout. Sounds like the ultimate person to me. Rich and young at the same time, plus being a devout person, that's the boss. Plus, he is a Jew and he has been taught that he is already saved because he's a Jew. This man has it made from all worldview. The rich young devout ruler's question concerns what he must do to have eternal life. So evidently his life is not all that he thinks it should be. He has doubts. He's not so sure that being a Jew, God's chosen people is enough. Be careful about looking up to people and putting them on pedestals. or a poster on your wall for you teenagers. It matters not who they are. They had the same doubts and needs as us regular people. The answer to their life questions are the same as the answer to our life questions. Jesus, how does he want me to live? This man obviously believes that salvation can be a achieved through action and behavior. From what follows, we know that he has already worked hard at religion, but he must feel that he still doesn't measure up. What can he do to make himself feel secure in his salvation? Have you ever been that way? Nod your head. I was that way just this morning. I wanna feel secure in my salvation. I know that I don't measure up. It's all too obvious to me. I wanna feel secure in my salvation. Jesus answers the young man on his own legalistic terms. He meets us where we are. This man's a legalist, he'll meet you in a legalistic state. I'll meet you right where you are. If you want to enter into life, obey the commandments. When the man asks which ones, Jesus mentions several laws from the 10 commandments. And it's interesting to look at the list that Jesus gave. First, the commandments mentioned are from the second table of the law that deal with the way people treat each other. Seems like we just had a Sabbath school lesson on. This gives us a hint as to the man's problem. He goes to that table of the law. Second, Jesus lists the commandments in order. The sixth, the seventh, the eighth, the ninth. But then, to my surprise, he lists the fifth after the ninth. Did you notice that? Why? Did Jesus not know the commandments in order? I think there's a reason. When you do something out of order, it calls attention to it, right? The rich young ruler may have been among those that Jesus condemned, as you may remember in chapter 15 that we studied, for using the man-made tradition to avoid caring for his parents. I'm giving my money to the church, not to you. That's what chapter 15 talked about. So maybe he's not showing his parents due respect. A third thing to note about Jesus' list is that the 10th commandment, dealing with covetousness, is not mentioned at all. It will soon be evident, however, that this issue lies at the very center of the man's spiritual problem. Just as mentioning the fifth commandment out of order would draw attention to it, leaving one out would actually make you think about it. a way of pointing out sin without undue embarrassment. Finally, Jesus adds a quotation from Leviticus 19, 8, love your neighbor as yourself. That wasn't even in those 10 commandments other than implied. Jesus uses a text that was important in Judaism and is close to the core of this young man's problem. With confidence, the young man replies that he has kept all those commandments. He apparently is not embarrassed by his claim. He is a shining example of a certain type of moral person. but he's soon to discover that mere morality is not enough to gain entry into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is demonstrating that the man's obedience is outward and legal rather than inward and spiritual. Then Jesus gets to the heart of it by telling the man to give everything he has to the poor in order to have treasure in heaven and then to follow him. When he turns away in sadness, we learn that he loves his stuff more than he loves people and God. No, I'm just thinking, Jesus didn't say, and give your money to my cause. Give your money to Judas. He's the keeper of the money bags. He didn't say that. He said give it to the poor. That's Jesus' cause too. Jesus says, he wasn't saying hand it to me. Use it for God. Use it as God leads you. But then we see this man who has it all together except his assurance, he's actually breaking all the commandments, one through 10, from having no other gods before me to being covetous. Remember what Jesus kept emphasizing in the Sermon on the Mount, commandment breaking begins in the mind before it's done by the hand. or the feet in this case, because he walked away from the only answer to his salvation question. If only his footsteps have turned and followed Jesus. Jesus was calling this man to be a disciple. Come, follow me. The same language he used in calling the fishermen from their nets and Matthew from his taxpayer's booth. Those disciples gave up all and followed Jesus. We know their names. The rich young devout ruler's name We don't know it. It's lost to obscurity. Just like all the others who think that their wealth is more important than what God has to offer. It is important to understand that his riches were not the problem. It was his love of those riches. Other wealthy men evidently followed Jesus without Jesus telling them that they needed to give up their possessions. You look at Zacchaeus. He didn't say, Zacchaeus, you need to give your money back. No, Zacchaeus says, wow. I love you. What do I need all this for? I'm gonna repay people that I stole from. Because it was real. He had Jesus really in his heart. And Joseph of Arimathea, same way, Nicodemus, all of these were wealthy people. Evidently it was not wealth that was holding them back from making a full commitment, but other issues. We have to wonder, what is it that becomes between me and a full surrender to Jesus. Look at verse 23. Then Jesus said to his disciples, assuredly I say to you that it's hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished saying, who then can be saved? like the people of their time and our time, those with wealth were often seen as blessed by God. It was assumed that they had a head start into the kingdom and Jesus is taking out that assumption. It is actually easier to enter the kingdom with less of this world's wealth to give up. Is there anything that you can't walk away from? I remember back in the dark ages when our schools would take the students out in gathering. You remember that? Who remembers in gathering? Who wishes they still did it? There's five of you. Okay, for those of you young people, in gathering was when we would go out and go door to door asking for money to use for projects that would help the poor and needy. We all had our speeches about the poor and needy. And I remember a lot of doors I went to, well, I'm the poor and needy, why don't you give me some of that? Well, I remember in high school, College Dell Academy, bunches of us would go in gathering because they would offer free donuts at the end. And I was the top in gatherer all four years of Academy. And it wasn't my good looks. I was the top end gatherer because I knew where to go. Because most of the people, they would go up on the hill where the mansions were. I went to the trailer parks. because those people knew what it felt like to need something and became more generous. And the same way happened when we went out with Pathfinders. You remember going out and getting canned goods. We'd go get canned goods. I knew what I was going to get at the mansion. I was going to get the rusty can of garbanzos that nobody wanted. You go to the poor people, they'll give you their precious can of ravioli. You get better stuff there. Because people knew what it felt like to be in need and were more generous. Of course, Jesus is speaking about the rich people in generalizations. Some of the wealthy that truly believed in him, some of them we just mentioned, were of great asset to the early church growth. Look at verse 26. But Jesus looked at them and said to them, with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Then Peter answered and said to him, see, we have left all and followed you, therefore what shall we have? Peter is shocked by Jesus' answer about the impossibility of rich people entering the kingdom and responds with a very human question. We gave up everything, what do we get? Now Jesus, he's rebuked Peter before. And he could have rebuked Peter this time for being so self-centered. But he chooses to answer Peter with a bit more delicacy and respect. After all, the disciples have left everything, their nets, their businesses, their families, their comfortable living. And Jesus' reply comes in two parts. The first is a rather straightforward answer that describes a bit of the reward. Verse 28, so Jesus said to them, assuredly I say to you that in, the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses and brothers or sisters or father and mother or wife and children or lands for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. The second part of Jesus answers in the form of a parable that begins and ends with a sentence that bears a gentle rebuke for Peter and the others. The message of the two statements are the same, but the last in reverse order of the first. And this is a way of calling attention to their importance. Verse 30, many who are first will be last and the last first. Now chapter 20. for the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius 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 he said to them, you also go into the vineyard and whatever is right, I will give you. So they went. Again he went out the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and said to them, Why have you been standing here idle all day? They said to him, Because no one has hired us. He said to them, You also go into the vineyard and whatever is right you will receive. So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to the steward, Call the laborers and give them their wages. Beginning with the last, the first. And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more. Can't you picture these faithful hard workers pulling out their calculators and doing the math? If those guys got a full day's wage for one hour of work, what will we get? We worked 12 hours. That means we will get. 12 days wages. Ha ha. This is great. Finally, we can get ahead. They're already thinking about that new cart that they all want to get. This is Peter's question. We gave more than anyone. What do we get? Verse 10, but when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained. They complained against the landowner, saying, these last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. Have you ever borne the heat of the day? like yesterday. I was wearing a black t-shirt yesterday. I was wrong. And then I took it off last night. There was a white ring all the way around the back of it. Wow! salt. These guys had worked till their backs were covered in salt. What do we get? We work through the heat of the day. And I get it, to be honest, I grumble right along with them. It's not fair. They did more and they got the same. How do you answer that, Mr. Boss Man? Verse 13, but he answered one of them and said, friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good? This gets to the point of the story. The farmer has been perfectly fair. He has given those who have worked all day the amount they agreed on, and he has given the others more than they deserve. Giving people more good things than they deserve is an act of grace, amazing grace. So the workers who were called first are really grumbling about God's grace. They are upset because the farmer is generous. Yeah, you think about it. Maybe you were born in the mission field and you have given your whole life to serving God. Or maybe on your deathbed you said, what have I done with my life? And you give your life truly to Christ. Guess what? You guys get the same award. The person that served in the heat of the day and the person that gave his life to Christ on the deathbed, they get the same thing. After all, what is God supposed to do? Wow, yes, you get eternity, but you get three eternities. Well, that didn't make any sense. I propose that if I grumble about God's grace to others, I'm a mere worker for God and not a child of the king. Just like the rich young ruler. Verse 16, so the last will be first and the first last for many are called, but few are chosen. Here, Jesus repeats in reverse order, the same with which he began the parable. A very real implication of the parable is that the first won't be in the kingdom at all unless they get over their grumbling about God's graciousness and move away from too much concern with their own rewards. It is important to recognize that human love gives people what they deserve. God's love gives them what they need. Grace. When you were raising that newborn baby, did you give the baby what the baby deserved or what the baby needed? Baby didn't deserve anything. Baby didn't do anything, but make a mess. that you gave the best that you had to that child. Why? That's the way God's love is. Jesus wants us to develop that same gracious attitude towards each other. In the meantime, we ought to be thankful that God doesn't give us what we deserve. Yes, this first shall be last statement was aimed at the disciples. They are the first workers in the Christian vineyard. But it is also a warning to the Jews, God's chosen people and their attitude toward the Gentiles that would soon be coming into God's church. In our day, it could apply to those that have maybe served Jesus all their life in contrast to those who were converted in old age or those long time members of a congregation who helped finance and build the church in contrast to the later members who may be rising to positions of leadership. Wait a minute, when did they become a leader? Didn't they just get here? We can have that issue. We actually need to see the message of the parable as universal. None of us are so good and holy that we can grumble about God's grace to others. Doing so may leave us in the position of being last when we started first. Like forgiveness, the amount of grace that we receive from God may be contingent upon how gracious we are to others. years ago in the mountains of Virginia there was a boys school. And the boys' school was getting a new teacher because the teachers dropped away very quickly. The boys were rough. The teachers resigned. A young teacher applied for the job. The old school director scanned him up and down and he said, young fellow, do you know what you're asking for? An awful beating, that's what. Every teacher we've had up to here gets beat by these kids, sometimes physically, and they leave in defeat. The young teacher replied, I'll risk it, let me try." Well, when he appeared for duty in the little school, one big boy, Tom, whispered out loud, I won't need any help, I can lick him myself. The teacher said, good morning, we have come to conduct school. And the students yelled back a sarcastic, good morning, at the top of their lungs. Now, I want a good school, said the teacher. But I confess, I don't know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I'll write them on the blackboard." One fellow yelled, no stealing. Another chipped in, be on time. Finally, 10 rules appeared. Now said the teacher, a law is not good unless there's a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them? beat them across the back without his codons came the shout. Ten times. Well, that's pretty severe. Are you ready to stand by it? Yes, they yelled back. We stand by it, all right, said the teacher, and school came to order. In a couple of days, Big Tom, the one who said he could lick the teacher, he found his dinner was stolen. Upon inquiry, the thief was located, a little hungry fellow about 10 years old. The next morning, the teacher announced, have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule. 10 stripes across the back. Jim, come up here. A trembling little fellow came up slowly with a big coat, buttoned and pinned up around his neck. He pleaded, teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please don't make me take my coat off. You help make the rule reason the teacher take the coat off. teacher, don't make me, he begged. But the teacher's stern face showed that there would be no leniency. This was their rules. He would abide by them. So the child began to unbutton his coat. And what did the teacher behold? The boy had no shirt on, only strings for suspenders over his tiny bony body. How can I whip this boy, thought the teacher. Must I do, I've gotta do something to keep the class's respect. Everyone was quiet as death. How come you came to school without a shirt, Jim?" asked the teacher. My father died and we ain't got much. I only have one shirt and mother's washing it today, so I wore my brother's coat to keep warm. With a sigh of heavy heart, the teacher hesitantly grabbed the rod in his hand. Jim bent over the teacher's desk. Just then, Big Tom jumped to his feet. Big Tom, the guy whose lunch had been stolen. He said, teacher, if you don't mind, I'll take Jim's licking forehead. Very well. There is a certain law that one can take another's punishment for him. Are you in agreement? With the class's consent, Tom removed his coat and leaned over Jim, who was still bent over the teacher's desk. After five strokes, the rod broke. The teacher bowed his head and thought, how can I finish this awful task? Then he heard the entire class sobbing. at what he had seen. Little Jim had turned around and reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. Tom, I'm awful sorry, Tom. I was so hungry. I'll love you till I die for taking my lichen for me. I will love you forever. Yes, there's a certain law that one can take another's punishment for him. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It didn't seem fair that children should have priority of others that wanted to meet with Jesus. It didn't seem fair that a man who had been good all his life did not fit the requirements of the kingdom of God. It didn't seem fair that all got the same reward after different mounts of labor. The enemy has taken fairness out of this world. But by an act that is legal but unfair, Jesus bent over me and took what I had coming. He took my place on the cross. That's what makes his gift of the kingdom to you and me fair. He paid the price. I don't want what I deserve. Thank you, Jesus, for the wonder of your grace. I will love you forever.