This Sunday, Rev. Rick Peters asked us the burning question, “Is life fair?”  Of course, as we all know, the answer to that question is a resounding NO!  Time, experience, and life teaches us all that life may be many things, but ‘fair’ isn’t one of them.  The parable of the workers in the vineyard is the perfect example of this, as well as showing us how God’s generosity and grace works.  Let’s face it – God is NOT fair, if w measure fairness by human standards.  The reality of it is that God’s grace is puzzling.  For example, why do people who everyone considers to be ‘good’ sometimes loose in life, while people who most consider to be ‘bad’ often win?  For that matter, where do we draw the line in determining the difference between ‘bad’ and ‘good?’  This is where the puzzle of grace comes in.  GOD, not man, decides based on His grace, rather than on human prejudices or standards of good and bad.  Let’s face it – not one of us can stand on our own merit, no matter how ‘good’ we are.  It is the cross that wipes the slate clean for all of us, redeeming us equally, and God’s generosity that allows us all to be redeemed.

Based on Matthew 20:1-16.