Tag: Matthew 20
Son of David!
Scripture reading for January 28: Matthew 20
“And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed Him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they received their sight.” Matthew 20:29-34
The world often looks down on those who are needy or handicapped. Those that have to beg for help or for a living are thought to be distractions or a bother to the important people of life. Our culture often shapes our world view and it was no different in Jesus’ day in the nation of Israel. But God takes notice of all people. He is no respecter of persons but honors faith whenever it is present. He is not bothered by our cry for mercy.
These blind beggars evidently heard that Jesus Christ was passing by. They had heard about the miracles of healing and the buzz concerning the possibility that this was the expected Christ. In faith, they called out respectfully to Jesus for His mercy on their life of darkness. They shouted and in spite of the crowds demand that they quiet down, continued to loudly call out to the “Son of David” for help. Jesus stopped and took time to inquire of their request. As they asked for open eyes, Jesus opened them promptly! What a miracle to behold!
Are you unashamedly calling to Jesus for the help you need? Have your circumstances or those people around you caused you to be silent and cry no more? Call out again as Jesus is near and full of mercy!
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your amazing mercy and response to those in darkness, need and misery. Use me to be their voice when they are silent and be Your hand extended in healing. Amen.
Beware of worldly ambition and pride!
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 20:25-28 “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.”
Some of the first disciples had a desire for a position of glory in Christ’s kingdom. They were thinking in worldly terms that position means power. They wanted to be in charge and have control. However, Jesus explained that greatness had a real cost–drinking from the cup that He would drink from! This cup meant enduring suffering and eventual death for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.
Those who aspired to greatness were not condemned but admonished concerning the cost! Jesus set an example for His followers then and now. He was a servant-leader who set an example of serving. He ultimately laid down His life for His own followers that they might have what they needed for eternal life. Followers must also have a servant’s heart and be willing to sacrifice even their own lives for the cause of the kingdom of heaven. The proud in heart will never be exalted!
Observation for over-comers: It is not wrong to strive to be great in God’s kingdom but we must also count the cost and be wary of pride! Jesus is our example of real greatness–He alone sits on the throne of God! “Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for him to say, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.” (Proverbs 25:6-7)
Fair pay?
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.” (Matthew 20:1-2) Jesus taught his followers through this parable that each person who comes under the Lord’s authority and agrees to salvation and kingdom work does so voluntarily. The denarius was a fair daily wage for a laborer of that day.
During the twelve hour work day, the landowner hired workers at the third, sixth, ninth and eleventh hours. “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going to the first.’ (Matthew 20:8) The workers were all given a denarius for their day’s work! This upset those who had worked all day and they grumbled against the landowner. They thought he should have given them more for a whole day’s work! “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?’ (Matthew 20:13)
God ultimately pays everyone well, no matter how long or short our time of service. We all get more than we deserve because of the generosity of the One who owns it all! “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:28-29)
Can you drink this cup?
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20, Psalm 18:43-50, Proverbs 5:7-14
Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples about His coming death by crucifixion. He did not want them to be unprepared for the fiery trial that He would go through and that they would experience themselves. “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priest and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn 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) Jesus did not head for Jerusalem unaware of what awaited Him. It was a cup of suffering and a horrible death by crucifixion.
After this revelation to His disciples, the mother of James and John came to Jesus and knelt down to ask a favor of Him. “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:21–22) What this mother thought was a favor would involve a cup of suffering beyond what anyone could imagine!
The brothers answered in the affirmative! They could drink the cup, whatever that was. This was their own human estimate of their strength. Jesus assured them that they would drink from His cup, but that the places that they desired were not His to grant, but that honor was for those that the Father prepared it for. (Matthew 20:22-23) This jostling for position caused jealousy among the disciples; Jesus called them together and warned them not to jostle for position. The way to become great was not by lording it over one another, but by becoming the greatest servant. He, Himself, had set them the example and they should follow Him!
As we ponder this passage, Jesus’ question, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” stands out to me. I am thankful that He drank the cup of God’s wrath for my sin! I don’t have to drink that cup! But I am called to be His servant and that will involve suffering and carrying a cross! I must die to myself and live fully for Him. Will I drink from that cup?
Can You Drink the Cup?
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20, Psalm 18:43-50, Proverbs 5:7-14
Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples about His coming death by crucifixion. He did not want them to be unprepared for the fiery trial that He would go through and that they would experience themselves. “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priest and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will turn 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) Jesus did not head for Jerusalem unaware of what awaited Him. It was a cup of suffering and a horrible death by crucifixion.
After this revelation to His disciples, the mother of James and John came to Jesus and knelt down to ask a favor of Him. “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:21–22) What this mother thought was a favor would involve a cup of suffering beyond what anyone could imagine!
The brothers answered in the affirmative! They could drink the cup, whatever that was. This was their own human estimate of their strength. Jesus assured them that they would drink from His cup, but that the places that they desired were not His to grant, but that honor was for those that the Father prepared it for. (Matthew 20:22-23) This jostling for position caused jealousy among the disciples; Jesus called them together and warned them not to jostle for position. The way to become great was not by lording it over one another, but by becoming the greatest servant. He, Himself, had set them the example and they should follow Him!
As we ponder this passage, Jesus’ question, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” stands out to me. I am thankful that He drank the cup of God’s wrath for my sin! I don’t have to drink that cup! But I am called to be His servant and that will involve suffering and carrying a cross! I must die to myself and live fully for Him. Will I drink from that cup?