Matthew: Chapter 20
Chapter 20 continues from the previous chapter where Jesus was telling the disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Jesus narrates a parable which relates the kingdom of heaven to a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agrees to pay them a denarius (worth a day's wage) for the day and set them into his vineyard. Later he goes out at the third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour and eleventh hour and found others standing in the market place doing nothing and instructed them to go and work in his vineyard and that he would pay them whatever is right.
When the evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman to call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first. The workers who were hired later were given one denarius and so were the ones who were hired first. Naturally the ones who were hired first were upset and grumbled against the landowner. They weren't happy that the ones who just worked one hour were payed the same and made equal to them who worked the whole day.
The landowner, however, answered them, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?". Jesus then concludes by saying, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Now there are a few layers to the message this parable delivers. The Father, is the landowner in the parable, and the wages everyone receives is salvation which Jesus Christ gave to the whole world. This salvation, which we obtain by believing in the name of Jesus Christ, confessing and renouncing our sins and being forgiven by the Father, is given to everyone, no matter when they come to him. Be it earlier in their life or much later. And more crucially, salvation is given by grace and not earned by works. Salvation is the key to heaven, and thus, the Father is gracious enough to give it to everyone who believes. But does this mean that we can live as we wish throughout our life and in our death bed or at some other convenient time, confess and attain salvation? No.
While its true that many accepted Christ in their death bed, it doesn't mean that one should live a god-less life and only come to God at the end of their days on earth. For, we do not know when our end would be, and we would also be missing out on the other things which we get by being close to God. Also, one shouldn't be jealous or envy someone who comes to Christ, because it is by grace the person is saved. Thus, the ones who are last would be the first.
Jesus Predicts his Death, yet again
On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus takes aside Twelve and tells them, yet again about his death, and also his resurrection.
"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" Matthew 20:18,19
A Mother's Request
After this, the mother of Zebedee's sons (John and James) came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling down asked for favor of him. When Jesus enquired what she wanted, she asked that her sons sit on both sides of Jesus in his kingdom. Jesus points out that she does not know what she is asking, and asks if they can partake in everything he'd go through ("Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"). They reply affirmatively. Jesus affirms this and says, that the places are prepared by the Father.
Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” Matthew 20:23
This request, in itself is out of place. It shows that while the disciples and their close circle understood parts of Christ's mission on earth, they didn't understand it fully. They at this point, didn't comprehend that Christ has to die as an atonement and be resurrected as the first fruit, and in this process defeat the hold of Satan and the punishment of sin. They probably just thought that the kingdom of heaven would just appear and the Father will rule over everyone soon. And thus, this request for seats of power besides Jesus Christ.
Also, what's worse is the timing of this request. Jesus had just mentioned about his imminent death, but they didn't seem to understand the burden in the heart of Jesus. They just wanted their request be heard and answered. Well, if we can take a moment to ponder this question ourselves, have we every wondered about the burden the Father has? or is it always us just asking/ranting about our needs/wants continuously. Prayer is no doubt a two way conversation. It'll be good if we do take time to listen and hear what the LORD says to us. One could wonder, could there be something which burdens the Father? Yes there is. The LORD doesn't want any one of us to be lost. It is for this reason, out of his burden for all of us, Jesus came to earth as an atonement for our sins. And when we listen, we would share his burden.
Indignant Disciples
The other ten disciples naturally were angry and upset with the two brothers when they heard about the request. It could perhaps be because what the other two asked Jesus was insensitive, or it could be that they were irked that the two asked for special places. Anyway, Jesus clarified how they are to be different and to not be indignant. Jesus gathered them and preached how the authority on earth works, but it shouldn't be the same with them. They aren't called to be served, but to serve. And Jesus himself is an example to this.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28
Two Blind Men Receive Sight
As Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. When two blind men, sitting by the roadside heard about Jesus, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!". The crowd rebuked them and told them to stay silent, but they shouted all the more louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!".
Jesus stopped, calling the blind men to him, he asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind men replied, "Lord, we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
We see the indifference of the crowd, the faith, perseverance and earnestness of the blind men, and the compassion shown by Jesus in the closing incident of this chapter. This is also an instance of "ask and you will receive". Jesus knew what they needed and wanted, but he waited for their show of faith. They asked, and they received, and they followed Jesus, because they realized he is the Way.
Faith coupled with perseverance is enough to do anything. Asking, seeking and knocking is a way to exercise said faith and show our perseverance. While we might not be physically blind, we might be spiritually blind to see the path God has set for us. Lets ask and find the path, and understand the heart and burden of the LORD. See you in the next one. Take care of yourselves and each other!
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