Cell Notes 5^th February 2012

Ice Breaker

Can you recall an incident that you felt was really unfair?

Theme

Is it fair?

Readings: Isaiah 40:27-31;  Matthew 20:1-16.

Sermon Outline

Topical subject of pay: bankers’ bonuses, stripped knighthoods, predicted double-dip recession.  The “Occupy” movement standing with the global oppressed, but consider also that RBS are biggest funders of renewable energy projects, and work of philanthropists like Bill & Mandy Gates.

Parables: material to wrestle with, ask what does it mean (for us)?  Help us to understand God in a complex world, by interpreting in community, influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Three contrasting interpretations of the passage in Matthew:

1) Generosity of the Kingdom: a religious reading.
Landowner is God; vineyard is kingdom of God; first workers are the Jews, last are the gentiles; wages is salvation.  Generous God admits gentiles to equal privileges as Jews.  Some Jews, jealous or envious, may end up last in world to come.
For us: kingdom of God is for all, and we have a job to do to take it to all people.  Do we (established church members?) sometimes feel God’s lavish love for all is unfair on those committed to him?  Be generous, not envious – How might generosity bring you freedom from anger this week?  How might you go out and be more generous?

2) The justice of the Kingdom: an economic reading.
Landowner is God; vineyard is kingdom of God; first workers are those who don’t understand the radical kingdom justice, last are the beneficiaries of such justice; wages are wages.  A recession, with workers struggling for jobs; God goes out to invite them into his kingdom, as Jesus did.  Restorative justice here and now, providing dignity, fulfilment.  All are worth their wages.  The angry ones think of what they deserve, not what others need.
For us: we are called to help bring salvation from poverty & oppression.  We should be ready to pray and pay for justice, e.g. Church Action on Poverty campaign – the Living Wage.

3) The upside-down kingdom – a political reading.
Landowner is unjust exploiter; vineyard is a vineyard; first workers are strongest of the oppressed (union rep), last are the weakest of oppressed; wages are wages (a pittance).  Sarcastic critique of status quo – working from dawn to dusk for 1d.  Landlord has massive vineyard, from evicting indebted peasants.  Public shaming of one who speaks out.  Landowner’s “my own money” – but “the earth is the Lord’s”.  Finally, first who will be last is the oppressive ruler.
For us: a chance to read from another’s perspective.  Kingdom is very political, for all the people.  “God’s people are instructed to dismantle, on a regular basis, the patterns and structures of stratified wealth and power, so that there is enough for everybody.” – Ched Myers

Questions of Application

1) Which interpretation came alive for you?  (All three?  None?)

2) Do you need to let go of envy, and get generous towards yourself and others?

3) Should you review your own economy, check out the Living Wage, and look at ways the system could work better?

4) Does injustice inspire you to effective political action?

5) Conclude by meditating on Isaiah 40:28-29.