The people of Israel contended with the Lord in the wilderness (Exodus 17:1-7). They were dissatisfied with His provision. In the same way, the first laborers in the vineyard complained against the landowner for the wage he provided them (Matthew 20:1-16). They charged him with being unfair, but in reality he was being generous. For the Lord does not wish to deal with us on the basis of what we deserve but on the basis of His abounding grace in Christ. The first -- those who rely on their own merits -- will be last. "For they were overthrown in the wilderness" (1 Corinthians 10:5). But the last, those who rely on Christ, will be first. For Christ is the Rock (1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5). He is the One who was struck and from whose side blood and water flowed that we may be cleansed of our sin.
