Matthew 20

 

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Verses 1-16

 

Here we have another parable of the kingdom. The parable of the vineyard is about God’s covenant with Israel. The vineyard represents Israel. We read that our Lord likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a man who is a landowner who went out early to hire some labourers for his vineyard. An agreement of pay was settled, and they were sent into the vineyard. The wages were a denarius a day, which was a fair wage for a full day’s work. Hiring labourers was common during harvest. The day began at 6am and finished at 6pm. We read that the man went to the marketplace at the third hour (9 am) and saw others standing idle as no one had hired them. These men were so keen to work they did not even agree on a specific wage. At the eleventh hour (5 pm) there were still men there waiting to be hired. At this point, they will take whatever work or wage they can. This opens the parable and the point that our Lord wants to make.

 

There are two lessons to be learnt here in this parable of Christ. Firstly, in the calling of souls to salvation, God’s grace is on display.

 

God calls souls unto Himself in His time and in His own way. We may not see many come to faith in our own land and day, but God is calling many in other parts of the world. Today we see souls come to Christ from Asia, Africa, and remote parts of the world. We have seen God working miracles of grace by calling souls out of false religion and into the Church of Christ on earth. In recent years many who were enslaved to Islam have been saved. There is nothing to prevent lost souls from being partakers of the hope that is in Christ. Those converted at the eleventh hour shall truly be heirs of the promises of God. Just like the believing Church which has been in Christ for many years. The last shall be first.

 

Christ is explaining aspects of the coming Messianic kingdom. He is emphasizing his earlier statement from the previous chapter that those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first, repeating this idea at both the beginning and the end of his message. Christ illustrates that individuals enter the vineyard (the kingdom) at various times, yet they all receive the same reward for their contributions. Specifically, those who arrive first will be the last to receive their reward, while those who arrive last will be rewarded first. In the Kingdom, Christ will bestow rewards based on service, which contrasts with the Church, where believers receive blessings based on faith and grace rather than merit and effort.

 

The second truth we learn here is that God gives no account for why he has saved a soul. We see this shown in Scripture and in Church history. The apostle Paul laboured for many years in gospel work and was received in glory after his work was done. The apostle was once an enemy of God and his Church, but the Lord had mercy and grace on him, and Paul was blessed greatly. We see the thief on the cross next to our Lord was justified in the final moments of his life. This man went to paradise without good deeds, without baptism, and without years of service. In church history, we see men such as Darby, Kelly, Mackintosh, Muller and Ironside who served the Lord for most of their earthly days and others who were saved in the last few weeks and moments of life. This truth may sound unfair and strange to the ungodly, but it is testimony to the mighty work of God’s grace and love towards sinners. It causes us to boast in Christ, and not ourselves. It causes us to be humble, and not prideful. It causes us to praise the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

True saving faith in Christ justifies a man before God, even if that faith is one day old or one hundred years old. This is why the Word of God says that today, now is the day of salvation. Today is the day to have your sins forgiven. Now is the time to obey the gospel call. Today is the day, tomorrow could be too late. Beware, do not put off repentance till a later date. If you will not accept Christ now, today, then why do you think you will accept Christ later? As we grow older usually our hearts grow harder, and we become set in our ways. Bend your knee today and embrace Christ now.

 

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Verses 17-23

 

In the passage before us, our Lord for the third time speaks of his death. He tells his disciples that he must suffer death at the hands of wicked men. This points to the fact that Christ knew from the beginning that he was sent to die for the remission of sin. He went to the cross voluntarily. His death was of the Father’s pleasing and according to the divine will. Christ knew that without the shedding of blood, there could be no forgiveness of sin. Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. He made reconciliation for iniquity. Consider the great love and grace of Christ, for while we were yet sinners, he died for us. Blessed is that man who calls on Christ alone for salvation. The Gospel is the greatest gift God has given this sinful world. Can we truly know what it meant to the Father to send His Son to die for rebellious sinners such as us? May our prayer and desire be that the Lord would teach us the true meaning of gospel grace.

 

There is also a mixture of lack of knowledge and faith shown in these verses. We read about a time when the mother of James and John came to Christ with a rather odd request. She asked Christ that her sons could sit on either side of Christ in His Kingdom. It appears that the woman was only looking at the place of her two sons in glory and not the glory of Christ. Before Christ could reign, he must be crucified. There is a hint of fleshly thinking here. The flesh seeks its own glory before it is put to death.

 

Many Christian souls are like this. They understand the things of God and trust in Christ. They seek to please God and seek after holiness and yet they are ignorant of some truths. They do not put the desires of their flesh to death by coming daily to God for that divine strength and power. The lesson here is if we do not put off the desires of the flesh, the flesh will take over and we will soon be living after the flesh and not after Christ.

 

The last thing in these verses that demands our attention is the manner in which Christ deals with the woman’s request. Although Christ does rebuke her, he does not do it harshly or sharply. He reproofs her softly and in a winsome way. He tells her that she does not know what she has asked for. The request of being part of Christ’s reward without striving after holiness was rebuked. Those who are received in glory must first follow the ways of Christ. Are we prepared to carry our cross? Are we willing to give up a life centred around sin?

 

Do we really know what it means to be a follower of Christ Jesus? When we truly count the cost, then we are ready to be faithful followers of Christ. Draw nigh to God in prayer and seek him every moment of every day.

 

Questions on Christ’s Authority

Verses 24-28

 

In the first part of these verses, we learn about the pride and jealousy among the close followers of our Lord. When the other ten disciples heard what John and James asked, they were angry; which was a natural reaction. We see in the world in which we live that people with power can use such power to control others and mistreat them. Often, we see political leaders and leaders in other areas of society consider themselves superior to others. This will not be the case in the Kingdom of God.

 

Pride is one of the oldest sins and one of the seven deadly sins. It is by pride that men and women fall and are brought low. Through pride, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and it is through pride that many men have lost their own souls. It is important for all Christian souls to put off pride and serve with love as unto the Lord. A life of self-denying kindness is true Christian service. This is how to be a truly great man.

 

There is also a paradoxical statement of role reversal. A godly man must be willing to be a servant. Greatness is not found in ruling over others, but in serving them.

 

The standards of the world and the Lord Jesus Christ are different. To the world, the greatest is the one who has the most wealth, the most land, the most power and the most influence. Among the those of the kingdom, the greatest is the one that promotes holiness, truth, and true godly service. True greatness is in giving not receiving. Acts 20:35 says, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The Lord Jesus Christ is a good example of this kind of service.

 

The last thing we learn in these verses is that Christ’s death was an propitiation for sin. It is clear by the word “for” that it means “in the place of.” Christ’s sacrifice was a substitution for sinners. This is the greatest truth in all of Holy Scripture. This is the foundation stone of the Christian faith, that Christ died to make reconciliation for iniquity. He died to bring us back to God. He purchased souls with his blood upon the cross. May we never forget this great truth.

 

We are all by nature debtors to God. We add to our debt daily but blessed be the Lord Jesus who came to pay and cancel the debt of all who believe on Him. Blessed is that man who is humble and submits himself to Christ and His Gospel. Such a man is a true Christian soul.

 

Jesus Heals Two Men

Verses 29-34

 

In the closing verses of chapter 20, we read about two blind men sitting by the wayside. In these verses, we read about steadfast faith in somewhere least to be expected to be found. These two men had faith that Jesus could heal them. As Jesus was passing by they cried out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.” This is a messianic title of Jesus. By calling him, the “son of David” the fact that Jesus is the Christ is recognised. The Messiah has come.

 

This miracle and encounter happened in Jericho which is northwest of the Dead Sea about 10 miles from Jerusalem. This is the final episode before Jesus makes his arrival into Jerusalem. Even though Jesus is shown as a King of David’s line he does not think himself to be above the castoffs of society. These two men would have lived outside of society and would have needed the care and support of others.

 

There is great wisdom to be found and learned in the passage. Take every chance to tend to the needs of your soul. These two men did that. As soon as they knew Jesus was nearby, they took the chance to meet with him. The men were told to, “hold their peace”. The men saw their need for Christ even though they were blind they understood that Christ could heal them.

 

The grace of God is on display here in our Lord. He asked them what they desired, and he heard them. Christ did not only listen to their concerns and needs he granted their request and caused them to see. May God give us eyes to see the great power and grace of Christ in this passage of Holy Writ. May our spiritual eyes be open to see our need for Christ. May our prayer be today and every day, “Lord, give me eyes to see.”