Read: This is a difficult passage yet it is so relevant for us today. Take some time to read this as an imaginative prayer exercise. This is a type of prayer form in which we use  our senses in an imaginative way to reflect on a Gospel passage.  Do this slowly and thoughtfully. 

Offer up a brief prayer inviting God to allow you to imaginatively experience and encounter Jesus.  Spend about 5-10 minutes reading or listening to the passage.

Enter the story as if you were really there.  Note:  Some people’s imaginations are very active so they construct a movie-like scenario with a Gospel passage. Others will enter the scene with verbal imagination, reflecting on the scene and mulling over the actions. Vividness is not a criterion for the effectiveness of this kind of prayer. Engagement is and the result is a greater heart knowledge of Jesus. 

• Allow the event to replay before you.
• Watch what happens; listen to what is being said; feel the actions with your body.
• Imagine what it would be like to be one of the people in the story.
• Listen, taste, smell, feel, and watch what happens. 
• Allow the event to replay before you.
• Be as passive as possible to allow this to take place.
• At the same time, remain more or less within the framework of the gospel story.

What do you notice about the workers? How about the foreman? What might he have been feeling? What is the atmosphere like when it’s time for everyone to get paid? 

Record your thoughts.

Reflect: This parable isn’t about us coming to a place of agreement in our understanding about the landowner’s compensation practices with the workers. It is about us grasping the depth of God’s grace and justice. I thought this reminder from Sunday’s message was so important.

‘But remember the first 5 words….The Kingdom of Heaven is like…

That’s Jesus' way of reminding us that “God’s ways are NOT our ways.”  

• Jesus did not come to make the broken ways of the world work better.
• Jesus came to call out the broken ways, and teach us the Kingdom ways.’

We slide into the thinking and values of this world so easily, don’t we? American culture values fairness and equality (granted we don’t always see it played out for all people) but there is a response inside us when we see someone taken advantage of or treated unfairly. So as you spend time in God’s Word it is a great opportunity to pay attention to your emotional response to the story. 

Are there any parallels in your life to the circumstances in this parable? When or where have you compared your situation to others? Maybe a coworker, a family member or a neighbor? Has there been a time you haven’t been treated fairly? How did you respond? Do you still carry any anger, hurt or even bitterness about the situation? 

Again, record your thoughts and feelings.

Respond: How do we really embrace the economy of God’s grace and His generous heart? How do we live this out in our daily lives? It certainly isn’t about gritting our teeth and trying harder. The reality is that we cannot muster this up on our own. God has demonstrated His grace toward us and He desires that we do the same with others. That takes healing those broken and wounded places in our hearts and as this happens the balm of His grace frees us to extend that grace to others. 

Where do you need God’s healing?

Where do you need the freedom to be gracious to others?

Who is in need of His grace just as you are in need?

Take some time to listen to the song below. It’s an older one but expresses so well the completeness of His grace towards each of us. And that’s where we learn of the source of all grace - Our heavenly Father.

Your Grace is Enough - Matt Maher