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Friday, January 30th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1gs0jPd
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner… – Matt 20:10-11
I remember studying to take one test in particular when I was in college. I studied all weekend, and came in ready (and exhausted) for the test. When I got to the classroom, the professor announced that he had forgotten the exam. All of us, he explained, would receive 100%. Those students who had spent their weekend having fun were ecstatic; those who had studied were furious. All of us would receive the same reward, whether we had worked hard for it or not.
God’s message through the parable of the workers in the vineyard is this: All who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will inherit an eternal reward. It doesn’t matter if you give your life to Christ as a child and live your whole life for Him, or if you spend your days living in sin and give your life to Christ on your deathbed.
When Jesus is hanging on the Cross in Luke 23, He meets a criminal. As the criminal hanging next to Him dies, He accepts Jesus into his life. Even though he was a criminal right up until his last breath, Jesus promised that he would be with Him in paradise (Lk 43:43).
Your reward in Jesus is eternal. None of us deserve it, but all of us will inherit it: not because of anything we’ve done, but because Jesus Christ purchased our salvation on the Cross.
Prayer:
Father, I know I will spend eternity with You in heaven! Thank You for giving me the reward that only Jesus deserves. I am not worthy, but You have shown me Your mercy!