Day 38- Matthew 19-20; Psalm 69

Henry indicates that this is Jesus moving on from Gallilee where most of his sermons had been up to this point and says,

As Christ’s faithful ministers are not taken out of the world, so they are not removed from any place, till they have finished their testimony in that place, Rev. 11:7 . This is very comfortable to those that follow not their own humours, but God’s providence, in their removals, that their sayings shall be finished before they depart. And who would desire to continue any where longer than he has work to do for God there?

Have you ever felt like your work was done in one place and now you were ready to move on?  I think that this year has been like that for me.  We could go on and on with respect to the discourse of marriage here, but I have decided that one Bible Study period I will devote, some year, not this one, entirely to the discourse of sex, marriage, adultery and divorce in the Bible.  That should be interesting.

This story of the laborers is interesting.  How often do we feel like we deserve more than the other person?  Why does it matter if they get more or less than you?  You get what you need and they get what they need and so it is...easier said than done.  Henry summarizes,

Note, First, The church is God’s vineyard; it is of his planting, watering, and fencing; and the fruits of it must be to his honour and praise. Secondly, We are all called upon to be labourers in this vineyard. The work of religion is vineyard-work, pruning, dressing, digging, watering, fencing, weeding. We have each of us our own vineyard to keep, our own soul; and it is God’s and to be kept and dressed for him. In this work we must not be slothful, not loiterers, but labourers, working, and working out our own salvation. Work for God will not admit of trifling. A man may go idle to hell; but he that will go to heaven, must be busy.

I had best earn my keep now.  See you tomorrow!