Eleventh Hour Grace

Jesus told the story of a farmer who hired day laborers: Some at 6 a.m., some at 9 a.m., some at noon, some at 3 p.m., and some at 5 p.m., one hour before quitting time. Amazingly, he paid them all the same wage. When the complaints started flying, the farmer said, "I wish to give to this last man the same as to you." You say, "Nobody pays a day's wage to one-hour workers." God does. Deathbed converts and lifelong saints enter heaven by the same gate. They don't enjoy the same reward, but they're saved by the same grace.

A last-minute confessor receives the same grace as a lifetime servant? It doesn't seem fair. The workers in Jesus' story complained too. So the farmer explained the prerogative of ownership: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?" (Mt 20:15 RSV)

The thief on the cross proves that when you request grace with your dying breath, God answers your prayer. The Prodigal Son 'wasted his possessions' (Lk 15:13 NKJV). The Greek word for 'wasted' pictures a farmer throwing handfuls of seed into the ground. Imagine the Prodigal Son spurning his father's kindness, going out and 'throwing it all away.' But he returned. And when he did "his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him" (Lk 15:20 NKJV).

The father was saving his son's place. And the Father is saving your place too! Eleventh hour grace means that if you're able to read these words and respond, it's not too late.