So you're driving home from work on the freeway when somebody merges in and blatant cuts you off.

As the observer you're like - What a selfish, unsafe driver that is! 

Now switch roles, and you're acting like the guy who's merging, stressed out to get home on time. Not paying attention to the fact that the lane is ending and before you know it you have no choice and in your head you say, "Sorry dude!" as you cut off the guy in back of you. 

This is called actor/observer syndrome, and we all do it and Jesus talks about it on Sunday with that famous Bible story about the guys who work 8 hours and earn a day's wage, and then the guy who works 1 hour and earns the same pay.

From an observer's point of view this is blatantly unfair, we worked longer, we deserve more pay!

But from the actor's point of view, which is where Jesus always defaults, he sees that this worker who only worked an hour, has to go home and feed the same mouths, clothe the same kids, pay the same rent that those working 8 hours have to pay 

And this is why Jesus gives that worker the same wage as the other workers. 

Jesus always operates like the actor, not the observer. 

The observer is law-abiding, cold-hearted and stern about the quid pro quo.

The actor has compassion, has mercy, and empathy.

This Is the Christian God, one who will always put mercy over judgment, forgiveness over condemnation, compassion over the quid pro quo. 

Go now, and do likewise.