October 24, 2021
We thank Almighty God that entrance into the Kingdom is open to “whosoever.” There is no gender, racial or age bias. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are quite clear- entrance is by God’s grace alone. In the parable of the “workers paid equally” found in Matthew 20:1-16, God is the householder and believers are the laborers. This parable is especially for those who feel superior because of heritage or favored position, for those who feel superior because they have spent so much time with Christ, and importantly, for new believers as reassurance of God’s grace. This is a strong statement concerning the most recently baptized members. The parable is not about rewards but about salvation. It is a marvelous teaching about GRACE (capitalized for effect), God’s generosity.
We are grateful to the Lord for the children received into the Kingdom. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:14b). It is true, we do not have to understand all the mysteries of the universe but by faith, with childlike simplicity, we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, and we live for Him. Age is not a deterrent in service for the Master. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, came to Joshua in Gilgal, “I am eighty-five years old, and I am as strong this day as I was forty-five years, now give me the land God promised me then.” And Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron for an inheritance. God is faithful Kingdom-dwellers, now let’s be faithful to Him.
Pastor J. Amos Jones
