Here for Others
In our second lesson for today we begin reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As with all of Paul’s letters there is much that we do not know. While we know that he is writing this letter while in prison, we do not know which prison since he was in prison several times. It is commonly noted that it was written from Rome – his last time in prison. That would make this letter one of the last Paul wrote. Some scholars cast doubt about this because its style is closer to his earlier letters and that Rome was such a great distance from Philippi and the travel suggested in the letter would have been difficult. We will leave those details up for others to argue. What is certain about this letter is that it, unlike other letters, does not spend much time on theological and ethical issues in the Philippian church – as we saw in Romans. This letter is more of a personal letter of encouragement. In fact some suggest that Paul has come to the conclusion that his upcoming trial will sentence him to death and he did not want the Philippians discouraged if that happened.
That’s where we come in. Paul is debating with himself to share the gospel. He comes out of his debate satisfied with either way – both will be a witness to the world of Christ’s saving work – so he will leave the answer in God’s hands. Since he is content with either answer the Philippians should also be content. Therefore, if he is content, they should be too. Being content with God’s plan means that they are free to live their lives as Christians and not worry about what others might say or do to them. That means they can share the gospel knowing that whether they live or die they are the Lord’s.
This is a message to us as well. Paul’s letter reminds us that we should also be content. Although, that does not mean we are just to sit back and do nothing. Jonah shows that. Although Jonah is not sitting back, content, and watching the world go by, he spent much of the story we have of him trying to avoid doing God’s call. Remember, God called him to go to Nineveh and call them into repentance. He refused and tried to avoid his calling. God kept after him and he finally repented and went. Our part of the story today is what happened after Jonah called the people of Nineveh to repent. They did and Jonah is upset because God was not going to rain destruction upon them and, he knew, they deserved to be destroyed. Jonah also knew they would repent. If he had believed otherwise he would have quickly gone. Now he sat out in the desert complaining to God that God did not do as he wanted. Jonah was not content with his life and wanted others to pay. He thought that retribution would be the ticket to his contentment. As many throughout history have found, it does not.
Our gospel reading is also a bit tricky. It is another example of a parable that might have had a different meaning when Jesus told it than what Matthew uses it for. We can surmise that the final statement, the first will be last and the last will be first, was not in the original since it does not fit the parable even as Matthew presents it. Jesus, most likely, is talking about the Jews who have lived their life in obedience to the law who were complaining about his ministry to those who have not lived as faithful law-abiding Jews. You can almost hear them saying, “We spent our whole life living as God called and you spend your time with sinners and tax collectors.” Again, as God reminded Jonah that it was not his role to decide God’s action, Jesus was reminding all the pious Jews. Matthew was telling the church that it did not matter when you became a Christian for all receive the same reward. With the last phrase tacked on he seems to be assuring even the newest Christians that they will receive the same as those who were first to hear and believe the Gospel.
What then is the message for you? Do not be like Jonah or those first to come to the vineyard, jealous and resentful. Instead, be content and live the joy that comes from Jesus’ call to follow him. When others see you as you struggle in life (as we all do) they will be impressed by your example and may wish to join you around these Holy sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. For, as Paul says, whether we live or we die we are the Lord’s. Live knowing that God has given you salvation and filled you with the Holy Spirit and is watching over, guiding, comforting, and renewing your life so that you can live as one of God’s children.