PENTECOST • 19

What are the ways of the LORD and the kingdom?

This week’s readings show us how the LORD’s generosity, His ways, way of living and rewards are ‘upside-down’ from the world.

reading for: 16 September

Matthew 20:1-16

The ‘Upside Down’ Generosity of the LORD

  • READ

This parable starts out pretty normal, a master of the house goes out early to look for labourers for his vineyard (v. 1). Upon agreeing on the wage, he sends them out for work. A few hours later, he sees others idling and approaches them to work for an agreed wage. And he does this twice more, likely at 12pm, 3pm, and even at the last hour, 5pm. 

The twist comes at the end when the labourers are called and given their wages. He starts with those who he hired at 5pm, giving them a denarius. Slowly moving upwards. And to everyone’s surprise, he gives them a denarius too! We’re told very clearly that it was the amount agreed by both parties. But we cannot help but feel some kind of injustice along with them. You mean the one who worked full shift gets the same amount as the one who worked one hour??!! How can! So ridiculous and unfair!! 

Interestingly, all this could have been avoided if the master had paid the labourers he hired the earliest first! By paying them and dismissing them first. They wouldn’t have known how much the workers who started later got! They wouldn’t have had the opportunity to compare! 

That however is the point Jesus is wanting to make. In the kingdom of God, things can seem unfair to us. Especially when we look at things based on merit. You work more, you earn more. Work less and earn less. But our Heavenly Father is different. He’s generous! Thoroughly and extremely generous! (v.15) His generosity is such that we would find it ridiculous and unfair. That even the last can become first. But that is the “upside down” nature of our LORD. It’s upside down when we compare it to the world. But oh how wonderful that He is like that! For where would we be if not for His extreme generosity?

  • REFLECT

In which area do you feel like the LORD has been unfair to you? Have you been assessing its unfairness from the basis of merit rather than on the LORD’s generosity? 

Ask for new eyes to see and behold the LORD’s generosity instead. Give thanks to Him.

reading for: 17 September

Exodus 16:2-16

The ‘Upside-Down’ Ways of the LORD

  • READ

    Last week we read in Exodus 14 about the passover, how the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt and saved all of their firstborn from being killed. What we missed is the wonderful song that Moses and the people sang as they left in Exodus 15. And the first time they grumbled about not having any water. 

    Exodus 16 marks the second time Israel grumbles after being saved from Egypt. Now that we are in the wilderness, what shall we eat God?!?! I would rather die in the hands of my enemy but beside pots of meat and bread! 

    The Israelites must have been delirious and crazy. Thinking that they had pots of meat and loaves of bread while in Egypt! Pharaoh was wanting to wipe them out! He even resorted to killing the male newborns! Why would he give them lots of food and energise them?

    But what Israel sees is nothing short of the glory of God. Yes, its mentioned that Israel literally sees this glory of the LORD in the clouds (v. 10)! Next, they would witness quail coming in the evening to feed them for the day. Its clearly something the Israelites have never seen before (v. 15). It was bread from the LORD!

    One thing to notice is the unique way the LORD provides. He chooses to use quail and allows the Israelites to only gather what they need for each day. On the sixth day, they are to gather twice as much. 

    Why choose something that the Israelites couldn’t recognise? 

    Why only gather enough for each day and more on the sixth? 

    Wouldn’t bringing Israel to the promise land be a more efficient way?

    Yet, this is how the LORD chooses to provide! His ways are upside down from the ways of the world. But we are never short-changed on His glory!

  • REFLECT

    Are you in the midst of a trying time in your life? Have you been grumbling to the LORD?

    His invitation is to “come near to Him for He has heard Your grumbling” (v. 9).

    Be still and ask for a heart to trust in His way of provision.

reading for: 18 September

Philippians 1:21-30 

The ‘Upside down’ Way of Living

  • READ

    Throughout Christian history, this has been one of the most quoted statements. Yet its also one of the most baffling statements in the scriptures. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What a profound statement of Paul! Challenging the way we think about life and death. 

    It’s important to note the verses before and after verse 21. To better help us understand this statement. Earlier in verse 20, Paul says that his hope is that Christ will be honoured in his body, whether by life or by death, or in the NLT, whether he lives or dies.

    Then in verse 23-24, Paul further explains, he’s torn between two desires. 

    Longing to go and be with Christ (dying) or continuing to live for the Philippian Church (living). 

    So this profound statement is better understood from 2 perspectives:

    - Paul’s only desire in life is to honour Christ in his body. (Whether he lives or dies)

    - Paul longs to be with Christ but Paul would sacrifice momentary absence from Christ for longer purposeful ministry for Christ on earth

    This gives us a great insight into the upside down kingdom way of living. Death on earth is gain because it would mean meeting Jesus face to face. Living on earth should be grounded in purposeful ministry for Jesus. Either way, its about honouring Jesus, in life or in death.

  • REFLECT

    How do we think of our remaining time on earth? When we think of death, what do we think awaits us? 

    Truth is, none of us can control how long we have. What we can choose is to honour Christ with whatever time we are given. 

    What is ONE decision you can make to honour Jesus this week?

reading for: 19 September

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45

The ‘Upside Down’ Reward of God

  • READ

    This is the third time we are reading Psalm 105 in the past 6 weeks. But make no mistake, the repetition is intentional. The first 6 verses are the same because its a call to give thanks! To make known the deeds of the LORD! To sing to Him!

    The final portion of Psalm 105 coincides with the story of Israel after being saved from Egypt. By God’s grace they plunder Egypt of their silver and gold (v. 37). They are covered and led by fire in the night and cloud in the day (v. 39). They were fed by quail from heaven and drunk water from a rock (v. 40-41). This was how the LORD provided and cared for Israel. 

    Why you might ask? Is it because Israel were “worthy” of God’s grace and blessing? Was it because they were better than the other nations? None of that and Deuteronomy 7:6-11 tells us so. Repeated in shorter form in verse 42 in this Psalm. Its because of the covenant He swore to Abraham. 

    And the purpose was so that Israel could be in relationship with the LORD. So that Israel could reflect the image of the LORD on earth. To reflect His character and ways. Through the statues and lws. 

    In other words, the reward for salvation is not silver or gold. Neither is it the fire or the cloud (which is pretty cool!). Nor was it the miraculous food raining from the skies or water gushing from the rock. The upside down reward of God, is God! The LORD Himself is our reward! Praise the LORD!

  • REFLECT

    Though we desire other things like shelter, food or water. There is a deeper desire within our hearts for the LORD Himself. 

    Take time to give thanks and receive the “Greatest Reward” that is ever known.

    Listen and sing the song “Reward” by Josh Yeo.

Season of PentecostCNL