First is Last?

 Are you jealous because I am generous? So the last will be first and the first will be last. Matthew 20 14b, 15

This comes at the end of a parable about a landowner who had a vineyard and went out at various times in the day to employ people. Jesus liked it to the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus was saying it is the Father's prerogative to do what He likes with what is His.

He has called out to many different people over the ages and those He chooses will be first, it will not be according to our way of measuring things.

I hear you say, "That's not fair!" The workers in the vineyard said the same thing but the landowner said, "Friend I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me on a denarius? Take what is yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my business?"

The Kingdom of Heaven does not run according to our petty little rules and regulations. What is 'fair' does not come into it. Grace goes beyond.

The worst of sinners who repents can be the same as the one who has done little wrong and repented. The one who has faithfully attended church will be the same. We are all saved by grace not of our own works so that we cannot boast. This levels the playing field. We are definitely not able to dictate terms to God.