The gospel lesson from Matthew 20: 1-16 on which Pastor Barbara Dierker based her sermon “Grace and Love” is mystifying to even the most open-minded.  Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according to what they have earned or deserve.  At the end of the day a landowner pays all the workers the same wage, whether they worked for one hour or toiled all day under the hot sun.  The landowner chooses to be generous on his terms.

Common sense tells us that this arrangement is unfair.  We like to get a just reward for the faithful work that we do.  After all, we are good and decent people.  Why should those who have squandered their whole lives away receive an equal share of God’s favor in the end? 

The last will be first, and the first will be last, Jesus says following the parable.  God’s grace is simply beyond our comprehension.  Divine mercy is not based on fairness, but on God’s loving initiative.  God gives the free gift of salvation and we simply must believe in Christ.  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

The Sunday worship services at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Runge are at 10 a.m.; Sunday School for all ages begins at 9 a.m.; Men’s Bible Study is at 6 a.m. Wednesdays; Women’s Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m.  The ladies are forming a Women of the Word group and sewing circle.  Our contact number is 239-4616.  The church is located on the east side of Runge at 409 N. Wilbern.  All are welcome.