For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard… he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth… ninth… eleventh hour…, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?... Go ye also into the vineyard [Matthew 20:1-8]


Our lord Jesus has come to the world to gather labourers. Hence, whenever more labourers are needed, He comes to recruit men.


…an householder…went out early in the morning…

The householder went out early and hired some labourers who agreed to work for him at a price and they worked till the close of the day. These labourers called early in the morning are those that Christ met early in life and they surrendered all and followed Him regardless of what it will cost. They continue to follow even to the close of the day (Matthew 9:9).
Since God is never tired of calling men to His service, He went out again at other times to recruit those that escaped by chance and those that missed His calling at the beginning.


…he went out about the third hour…

He came again at the third hour. The third hour is the prime age of men. This is the youthful age when men are full of strength, vibrancy and energy. Many at this time expend their lives standing idle in the market place of this world wasting away. The world is a market place. It is a place for exchange and business (busyness), and lots of youths keep standing idle in such marketplace. Youths in their prime of age who should have been busy doing the work of the Master are rather found in questionable places with their popular slogans: “it does not matter”. They are found in places of laxity (being just nominal Christians or church goers), they assume that laboring for God is not their business, they count themselves out of Kingdom work and believe it is meant for some others, yet daily, the Lord of the harvest comes beckoning on them: “oh! My sons and daughters, why waste ye in the market place of life”, “come to the vineyard and work that ye may be rewarded…”, but they ignore it and go their way.

Friend, how often has the Lord beckoned on you, yet you keep postponing your repentance? You turned your back and went your way saying “its not yet time for God”, since according to you, you do not want to be confined to a vineyard only to be paid at the end (Mark 10: 21-22).


…he went out about the sixth… ninth… eleventh hour… and found others standing idle…

The need for labourers arises again when it seems that your life is almost done and you ask, “what is left of me to be used?”. The merciful Savior beckons on you with a query, “why are you still in the market place idle?”, “is it not time to make haste while the sun shines?”, “why perish in the world of sin when you could still redeem your fading life?”.

Though your time may be far spent in the marketplace of this world, you must give God the rest of your years in full by plunging into the vineyard and begin to serve Him. No matter the time you hear the Savior calling on you, just obey and follow. Do not compare your life with the old soldiers that have been serving since morning, yours is to redeem the little space that remains. Take up your cross, yield to the call of the Master, He has a need of you now. It does not matter when you come in, or how long you have stayed in the marketplace, the Master always rewards all His labourers equally, and He will reward you.

There is blessedness in answering the call of the Savior. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain… (John 15:16).

The call to service is to all, but only those that yield to the call will be rewarded not minding when they answered. Many are called but few are chosen. Be wise, and be among the chosen ones. Take a bold step and answer the plea of the Savior and He will surely save you.