In the gospel parable, the workers protest—justifiably, it could be argued—against the owner of the vineyard for his unfairness. But as a story about God and God’s people, the meaning changes.

Where did we first learn to idolize fairness? Maybe it was in math class: a nickel equals five pennies, no more and no less. If someone gives you four pennies for your nickel, you’ve been robbed. Of course, fewer of us object if someone gives us six pennies for the same nickel.

“God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.

It was a hot summer day, and the family had spent the afternoon at the swimming pool and then made a quick trip to the grocery store. It was time to get home and prepare dinner. As the family walked to the car, Mom was figuring out how she was going to get home, unload the car, put away groceries, and get dinner made on time.

The justice of God is above our ways. We appeal to that justice to bring us closer to God in Christ.

Our sins are nothing but a grain of sand alongside the great mountain of the mercy of God.