Omar's Story

Matthew 20:1-16

It was already hot and dusty when Omar left home for the market truly hoping against hope that he would be able to find work. The harvest was lighter than usual that year and the seasonal workers were not in as much demand as they had been in previous years. As Omar trudged along the street towards the market he thought about what he might do to be noticed early today. "I am a good worker," he thought to himself, "if I can only be picked once, the landowner will surely pick me again." Then Omar thought about his wife and two daughters at home. Serena had told him they were getting low on flour and oil, and that they only had a meal or possibly two, left. This worried Omar, he had a few pennies stowed away for lean times, but he had already dipped into that supply a number of times this year, what little he had left would not last long. "Oh, if only I could get work things would be better," thought Omar. Omar was not used to being without work, he had worked for landowner down the road from his house for many years, and had been well liked, but when the landowner retired and split his land between his two sons, all the hired hands had been let go. The sons had their own servants who would now work the land, and thus they had no need for his help. It was hard for Omar to be without work, and it had been hard on his family as well. He had arguments with his wife more often, usually over the silliest of things, and there certainly was more tension in the air at home. "Yes, if only I could get employment," thought Omar, "things would be better."

When Omar arrived at the town square, he found his friend Vanak. Omar and Vanak had worked together at the landowner's farm before they had both been released by the sons. "Maybe today we will get work early," said Vanak. "I can only hope and pray that we do," replied Omar. Together they sat down and waited for the landowners to arrive and begin hiring for the day. The tension in the air was thick. The harvest had been slow and the crops were light this year - so far there had not been enough work to go around. More than one family had gone hungry this week.

After what seemed like an eternity to Omar and Vanak, one of the landowners started to arrive. Omar could see the cloud of dust rising from the wheels of the cart the landowner was driving. "We must go quickly," Omar shouted to Vanak, "or we will miss the first hiring." So off they ran, spirits soaring, hoping to be the first ones sent out to work. Unfortunately, however, they were not the only workers who saw the landowner coming. By the time they reached the other side of the square a large line had already formed. "Quickly, quickly, Omar," said Vanak, "we must try to get into the line." They got into line as quickly as possible, and then began to wait as the landowner walked down the line and picked out workers. "You, you and you, sorry, sorry, yes you, and you too" went the litany of the landowner. "Do you think we will make it Vanak?" Asked Omar. But sooner than expected they received their answer, just before the landowner reached them he announced. "Sorry, that's all the workers I need today, maybe tomorrow I'll need more.

"Oh well, at least we were close, perhaps we will be hired next time." said Omar. "I hope so, I need the money," replied Vanak, "I don't know what my family will do if I don't get a full days work in today." "Sarah says there is only supplies for a meal or perhaps two left." Vanak lamented. "I know, my friend," said Omar "we are in the same situation, if only the harvest was better."

Soon another landowner arrived and Vanak and Omar ran to get in line hoping to be picked. But once again they were disappointed. As the day progressed, the same scene was repeated over and over. "Where are all these workers coming from?" Omar asked. "We will never find work if this continues." By 4:30 Omar and Vanak were ready to pack it in and go home, defeated by another day of disappointment. But then, almost by chance, a landowner happened by and asked Omar what he and Vanak were doing. Omar replied "we have been desperately trying to find work, but each time a landowner comes, we have been missed, it seems that they always manage to find the workers they need just before our turn comes up." "How many of you are there like this?" the landowner asked? "I believe there are eight or ten of us still left looking for work." replied Omar. "Take your friend and the other people still looking for work and report to my steward, he will put you to work in my fields." said the landowner. Without hesitation Omar and Vanak jumped up, hugged each other, thanked the landowner, gathered the others and ran off to find the steward.

Before long Omar and Vanak were happily working in the fields. "Well at least we will eat tonight," said Omar. "Yes, I was afraid we would have to return home empty handed yet again. What we make today may not be much, but at least it will be better than nothing." The final hour of the day passed quickly and soon the steward gathered them together so they could be paid for their labors. A few moments later the landowner appeared and instructed the Steward to pay all, starting with those hired last.

The steward called the names and paid the workers, one by one. When Omar and Vanak were paid they couldn't believe their eyes. They had been paid a full days wages. Being honest they stopped and asked the steward if he had made a mistake. Had he over paid them? But the steward replied "no, the master knows of your need and has paid you accordingly." Omar and Vanak thanked the steward and then ran to find the landowner. When they found him they thanked him for his generosity and compassion and then they headed for home with a spring in their gate, knowing they had truly been blest.

Rev James Hendricksen