24-Sep-23 (Matthew 20:1-16)

Have you ever had to stand in line for something? Maybe it was a ride or an ice cream cone or some other treat. It's no fun to wait, is it? [Wait for answers]
Wouldn't it be nice if you could just go to the front of the line? ...
Well, it might be nice for you, but it wouldn't be nice for all the others who have to wait that much longer because you went ahead. How would you like it if someone else just cut to the front of the line in front of you? [Wait for answers]
In the gospel story for today, Jesus talks about a situation like that, where the people who had just worked for a few hours were paid as much as those who worked all day. It's kind of a confusing story because it's just not fair!
I think what Jesus was saying was that God treats us all the same. God doesn't play favorites. God doesn't say that you're more important because you grew up in the church and your dad is on the board. You're not more important than the person who just showed up for the first time today.
It doesn't sound fair, but it is the right way to behave. When it comes to God, we're all people who need God's love and forgiveness the same. We're all people who God loves the same.
Let's talk to God about that.

God, we thank you for Jesus, who showed us that you love each and every one of us. We thank you that you don't play favorites, even when it means that we're not your favorites. Help us to remember how you love all of us the same and work to love other people the same as well. Help us not to think of some people as better than others and forgive us when we don't remember that.
We pray in Jesus' name.
AMEN.