In his sermon on Sunday, Mr. Ellsworth mentioned one of the challenges of this parable of the Workers in a Vineyard, especially for those of us who started early in the morning. When you grow up in the church or decide to follow Christ at a young age, sometimes it can feel unfair that those coming in so late in the game are receiving the same grace and merciful salvation, the same “day’s wage.” But we, too, have received this free gift of salvation undeservedly. (Eph. 2:1-10) Regardless of the starting point, at the end of the day what matters is the finish line.
As I watched the young daughter of a friend dedicate her life to Christ and get baptized this week, I was humbled and moved by the beauty of it. Aged 6 or 60, the 1st hour or the last, as followers of Christ we ought to celebrate as the angels do (Luke 15:10), EVERY time a child of God comes home. What a beautiful thing it is when a lost soul is found!
No matter the time or stage of life we turn to God, He is always waiting, arms open wide, ready to forgive and welcome us into His family. We ought to thank God for every hour He lets us live by His grace on this earth, and for every brother and sister who makes the decision to turn away from the things of this world and turn to the Lord.
What JOY it was for each of us the moment we accepted Christ. And what unspeakable joy we shall all share together in eternity with our gracious, heavenly Father. When we see him face to face, all else will fade and it will not matter whether we have known and followed Him for 20 minutes or 20 years. He is all that matters.
THANK GOD FOR THE 11TH HOUR!