Matthew, Mark and John all give lists of the women who were at the Cross when Jesus was crucified. The landowner rebuked them for their jealousy and resentment of the landowners generosity towards others. But if you were silent and refused to confess your crimes, then each time he would lay the whip on heavier, and heavier, until you'd be forced to cry out your crime against the Roman government. Your partnership makes all we do possible. And so, as savouring not divine but human things, he is bid to go behind (not from) the Lord as one ashamed of Him. (iii) These two blind men had an imperfect faith but they were determined to act on the faith they had. Though he vainly thought, that if those few were but two, they were himself and his son. Though Cushi gets the start of Ahimaaz, yet Ahimaaz, choosing the way of the plain, outruns Cushi. Now, it was an established principle, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word should be established. It was to James and John that Jesus spoke. They said to His disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" The point isnt that all have the same reward though all Gods people do go to the same heaven (where they will have reward in different measure). We are dependent, therefore, for determining this case, on the fact that Mark does habitually adhere to the chain of events. A ransom is something paid or given to liberate a man from a situation from which it is impossible for him to free himself. None the less does the Lord uphold it, purged of what accretions had come in to obscure its original and proper character. The landowner asked if they were jealous because the landowner was generous to other people. When those who had worked all day found that the landowner paid the same amount to the late-comers as he paid to them, they complained. It is all of grace and not of debt; nor does that exclude obedience. Conversely in some cases those whom God called early in their lives may not receive as much reward as those called later in life. get to know the Bible better! To the proud inhabitant of Jerusalem, both one and the other were but a choice and change within a land of darkness. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a There may have been a very natural reason for this request. When a person's ministry gets so great, and they become so prominent that they lose touch with people, and they can no longer minister to people's individual needs, their ministry has become greater than their Lord. As Matthew's Jesus preached earlier, God provides rain for the just and unjust alike (cf. Such people resent what seems to them the intrusion of new blood or the rise of a new generation with different plans and different ways. The New Testament People do not merit salvation either by works or by attitudes of trust. In Christianity there must always be this invincible optimism in the moment when things are conspiring to drive a man to despair. The grace of God does not give us more blessing than we deserve it gives blessing to us completely apart from the principle of deserving. The parable of the workers in the vineyard 20:1-16. It is a saying of R. Simeon ben Jochai F4. In view of the context, the 12 disciples correspond to the workers hired at the beginning of the day, the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Jesus was probably hinting at more in this parable. i. It is not here a question of life (as in the seed at first), but a system of christian doctrine; not life germinating and bearing fruit, but mere dogma natural mind which is exposed to it. 3 "About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. The Spirit of God has been pleased to cull and class facts otherwise unconnected; for here follow conversations that took place a long time after any of the events we have been occupied with. "I am certain that there is much about the scourging about Jesus that we do not fully understand. "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." Rather than seeking God as to whether or not you should buy a new car, you had to seek your elder or your shepherd. Yet it shall not be so among you is a stinging rebuke to the manner in which the modern church looks to the world for both its substance and style. "On his first night he was asked to share his bed with a man suffering from contagious itch. (SeeMatthew 9:32-33; Matthew 9:32-33.) Verse Matthew 20:16. Yet man, in face of all, is so deceived of the enemy, that he prefers to be left with the demons rather than enjoy the presence of the Deliverer. In the end of the chapter is set forth parabolically the unlimited forgiveness that suits the kingdom; here, I cannot but think, looking onward in strict fulness to the future, but with distinct application to the moral need of the disciples then and always. This, I believe, is a great lesson, and too often forgotten. At its close we see the leper approaching the Lord, after He had been preaching throughout Galilee and casting out devils. Saul saw that David prospered, and he eyed him,1 Samuel 18:9; 1 Samuel 18:15. That the recompence of reward will be given to the saints, not according to the time of their conversion, but according to the preparations for it by grace in this world; not according to the seniority (Genesis 43:33), but according to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. "Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?" Where did they come from? LOVE'S ANSWER TO NEED'S APPEAL ( Matthew 20:29-34 ). Matthew 20:16 English Standard Version 16 So the last will be first, and the first last." Read full chapter Matthew 20:16 in all English translations Matthew 19 Matthew 21 English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Thus, in the scene of the leper, we have Jesus presented as "Jehovah that healeth Israel," as man here below, and in Jewish relationships, still maintaining the law. The reason I consider to be plain; and the same principle applies to various other parts of our gospel where we have two cases mentioned, where in the other gospels we have only one. James was the first of the apostolic band to die a martyr ( Acts 12:2). Now this is their final trip to Jerusalem. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. All men, no matter when they come, are equally precious to God.". But that they might not be carried away by ambition or vain confidence in themselves, it was necessary also to remind them that others, who would long afterwards be called, would be partakers of the same glory, because God is not limited to any person, but calls freely whomsoever He pleases, and bestows on those who are called whatever rewards He thinks fit. Faithful labourers shall receive their reward when they die; it is deferred till then, that they may wait with patience for it, but no longer; for God will observe his own rule, The hire of the labourers shall not abide with thee all night, until the morning. The first of these lessons is, "Many first shall be last, and last first." It was a scorned Messiah who, when rejected of His own people, Israel, turned to the Gentiles by the will of God: it was One who could look upon publicans and sinners anywhere. Here is the agreement made with the labourers (Matthew 20:1-7; Matthew 20:1-7); and here it will be asked, as usual. In Matthew 12:1-50 we find not so much Jesus present and despised of men, as these men of Israel, the rejectors, in the presence of Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" It is more particularly sin, viewed as guilt, and consequently as that which absolutely breaks and destroys all power in the soul towards both God and man. We have each of us our own vineyard to keep, our own soul; and it is God's and to be kept and dressed for him. For a day. Whence they are hired? mother of the sons of Zebedee ( Matthew 27:56). This signifies the jealousy which the Jews were provoked to by the admission of the Gentiles into the kingdom of heaven. How many times during communion has God touched me physically, and ministered to me physically, as I received that work of Christ for my own physical need?So Jesus predicts His crucifixion finally, and then rising again. Luke-Acts A hook is cast into the sea, and the fish that takes it produces the required money for Peter as for his gracious Master and Lord. He makes some more useful than others, without regard to the time which they serve, and he will reward them accordingly. They had certainly done nothing to merit a day's wages. The only reason we will receive any reward is that God has called us to be His workers. You shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. He is also the writer of many of the letters that you find in your New Testament.". Again he went out about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, [noon and three in the afternoon], he did likewise. Now He brings out not the kingdom merely, but His Church; and this not merely in view of hopeless unbelief in the mass, but of the confession of His own intrinsic glory as the Son of God by the chosen witness. Even so the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.". b. What was that cup? range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Luke, too, tells how Jesus took the disciples to himself alone that he might try to compel them to understand what lay ahead ( Luke 18:31-34). (ii) These two blind men were undiscourageable. why not sorrow and shame that they should have so little understood their Master's mind? b. (Matthew 20:22-23) Jesus answers James and John: when you ask for a place of special status, do you know what you ask for? The world knows quite well that a good man is a man who serves his fellow-men. Parents, and the disciples, like the Pharisees, were shown that grace, just because it is the expression of what God is to a ruined world, takes notice of what man in his own imaginary dignity might count altogether petty. The Gospels 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. The truth of this is apparent, if we compare the gospel of Mark. I feel sure that no Christian harbours a doubt about it. And every Jewish mother wants the best for her son. In later days others will come in. That they had reason to fear, lest they themselves should be found hypocrites at last; for many are called but few chosen. But none the less do we find His affections engaged for the help of the helpless. At the beginning of the day, a landowner hired people to work in his vineyard for an agreed wage (Matthew 20:1-2). He is not going to lower Himself to a human measure. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard ( Matthew 20:1-2 ). The faithful and true witness, it was His to display that power in goodness which shall be put forth fully in the world to come, the great day when the Lord will manifest Himself to every eye as Son of David, and Son of man too. But nothing turned aside the purpose of God, or the activity of His grace. he said. It should also encourage us in reference to the hardships and difficulties of our work, that it is but for a day; the approaching shadow, which the servant earnestly desireth, will bring with it both rest, and the reward of our work,Job 7:2. In the next scene, then, we have the disciples as a whole tried by a sudden danger to which their sleeping Master paid no heed. The devil, by his temptations, is hiring labourers into his field, to feed swine. 22 But Jesus answered by saying to . . It was the creature doing his best, yet proving that he loved the creature more than the Creator. Most scholars have also recognized in the many a clear reference to Isaiah. (Carson) By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11) He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12). We have here not only our Lord's ministry in the first parable, but in the second parable that which He does by His servants. Matthew, Expository Sermons - From The Executable Outlines Series by Mark A. Copeland - Hundreds of free sermon outlines and Bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Now what did Jesus mean when He broke the bread and said, "This is my body, broken for you"? His reply came in stages. To convince the murmurer that he did no wrong, he refers him to the bargain: "Didst not thou agree with me for a penny? The apostles were then sent thus, no doubt, forerunners of those whom the Lord will raise up for the latter day. They that come from the east and west, and so come in late, that are picked up out of the highways and the hedges, shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, at the same feast, Matthew 7:11; Matthew 7:11. THE MIND OF JESUS ( Matthew 20:20-28 continued). Laborers in the Vineyard. Matthew 20. It is not for us surely to think this impossible. That was a test of his faith. [1.] it was not for the whole the Physician was needed. To my mind, the depth of such grace only enhances the beauty of Jesus, and is the very last possible ground that justifies man in thinking lightly of the Saviour. THE FALSE AND THE TRUE AMBITION ( Matthew 20:20-28 ), 20:20-28 At that time the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons, kneeling before him, and asking something from him. i. Grant that these two sons of mine may sit: Asking on behalf of her sons (note to whom Jesus replies in Matthew 20:22-23), she wanted prominent positions for them in the messianic administration of Jesus. "And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us." This made it to be plainly and only a difficulty for God to solve. Though he vainly thought, that if those few were but two, they were himself and his son. If the harvest was not ingathered before the rains broke, then it was ruined; and so to get the harvest in was a frantic race against time. Jesus blessedly answered their thoughts, had there only been a conscience to hear the word of power and grace, which brings out His glory the more. But the Son of God, blending the infinite majesty of his Deity with the perfect capacity to suffer as a man, offered an atonement of such inestimable value that he has absolutely paid the entire debt for his people. (Spurgeon), iv. He could and did form His instruments according to His own sovereign will. Whereas, on the contrary, there are other kinds of order that call for more profound thought and enlarged views, if we may speak now after the manner of men; and, indeed, I deny not that these the Holy Ghost employed in His own wisdom, though it is hardly needful to say He could, if He pleased, demonstrate His superiority to any means or qualifications whatsoever. So the last shall be first, and the first last As he had asserted in ( Matthew 19:30 ) and which is clearly illustrated by this parable, as it may be applied to Jews or Gentiles, or to nominal and real Christians: for many be called; externally, under the ministration of the Gospel, as the Jews in general were, by Christ and his apostles; but, few chosen; in Christ from all eternity, both to grace and glory; and in consequence, and as an evidence of it, but few among the Jews; as also in the Gentile world, comparatively speaking: and even but a few of those that are outwardly called, are inwardly and effectually called by the powerful grace of God, out of darkness into marvellous light, into the grace and liberty of the Gospel, into communion with Christ, and to the obtaining his kingdom and glory, according to the eternal purpose of God. Deuteronomy 15:9; 1 Samuel 18:9). (Carson), ii. . He was there for the express purpose of glorifying God. There was the consciousness of good unattained, a void for which he appeals to Jesus that it might be filled up. c. Betrayed they will condemn Him to death deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. Then, in Mark 3:1-35, there are notes of time more or less strong. But every Scripture that treats of that time proves what dread, what anxiety, what dark clouds will be ever and anon. Unfortunately, they have missed the blessing of knowing God, and serving God all their lives. The disciples should expect to be rewarded; but they should not be surprised if, when rewards are distributed, God will reward others in unexpected ways. 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Which means that each lash that was laid upon Him, was laid with greater ferocity, as they were seeking to elicit from Him some confession of wrong, but He had done no wrong. For He loved Peter felt for him, and his wife's mother was precious in His sight. Both Mark and Luke add their own touches to the story, to show that on this occasion there was in the atmosphere of the apostolic band a certain tenseness and a certain foreboding of tragedy to come. He is among the sick, he stands with the unemployed. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Set a timer for 20 minutes (no peeking) and start eating. But our Lord with dignity demands of Peter, "What thinkest thou, Simon?" It is important to see that the landowner did not treat anyone unfairly, though he was more generous to some than to others. The leper approaches the Lord with homage, but with a most inadequate belief in His love and readiness to meet his need. Modern disciples of Jesus should view heavenly rewards the same way. Beyond the curtain of suffering lay the revelation of glory; beyond the Cross was the Crown; beyond the defeat was triumph; and beyond death was life. And they went. Matthew 20. We can be assured that God will never, ever be unfair to us, though He may for His own purpose and pleasure bestow greater blessing on someone else who seems less deserving. It appears to me, that the nature or aim of Mark's gospel demands this. The world will respect, and admire, and sometimes fear, the man of power; but it will love the man of love. When it gets to where I have to sneak in the back door at the last minute, and sneak out before things are over, then I need to find something else to do, when you can no longer take time to minister to individuals.Now these men of course do give to us a very beautiful picture of people who are blind in sin, and there is the spiritualizing of the text, crying out for Jesus. In this, as I believe, that He never employed the virtue that was in Him to meet sickness or infirmity as a matter of mere power, but in deep compassionate feeling He entered into the whole reality of the case. Hold out, faith, and patience, yet a little while. That is on the debit side of the account of the disciples; but there is much on the credit side. They were greatly displeased: The other ten disciples mistakenly thought that a unique honor had just been bestowed on James and John. last will be on the same footing as the first, and the first as the last, those who esteem themselves last shall be first, and those who esteem themselves first shall be last, . . The Lord, while thoroughly proving that He forgot nothing, owned everything that was of grace in Peter or the rest, while opening the same door to "every one" who forsakes nature for His name's sake, solemnly adds, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." So when the evening was come, and the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Greatness does not consist in commanding others to do things for you; it consists in doing things for others; and the greater the service, the greater the honour. One of these people might have been the rich young man if he had become a disciple (Matthew 20:16-22). When He uttered the words, "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me," it is to me evident that there was an allusion to the wavering let it be but for a moment of John's soul. "My daughter is even now dead, but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." After this, dismissing the multitudes, He retires alone, to pray, on a mountain, as the disciples toil over the storm-tossed lake, the wind being contrary. We can never repay God for what he has done for us but we can always be grateful to him. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.. And they said unto him, Because no man has hired us. Here again is found a fresh case of the same remarkable principle of selection of events to form a complete picture, which I have maintained to be the true key of all. He often fell down exhausted, and the rough men of the slums carried him gently back to his hut. Here is the Christian revolution; here is the complete reversal of all the world's standards. In the next incident the force of the plea turns on God's goodness towards the wretchedness of man. But this is enough to silence all murmurs and objectors, that God is sovereign Lord of all, and may do what he will with his own. It was made after a series of announcements by Jesus that ahead of him lay an inescapable Cross; it was made at a moment when the air was heavy with the atmosphere of tragedy and the sense of foreboding. We know this by comparing it with the gospel of Luke. There is no one cup for the Christian to drink. ], "Any union leader worth their salt would protest at such employment practices. He answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. We begin with the comparatively limited significance it originally had. This world looks at the outward appearance, but God knows our hearts. (Matthew 20:29-31) Two blind men gain the attention of Jesus. The moment to act goes past; the impulse to decide fades. we have in Peter what man is, even after all this. It shows us his honesty. Verse 29 gives us strict time. 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 2:26). ii. That the same night that in which Jesus was betrayed, He took bread, and when He had broken it, He said, take eat this is my body which is broken for you. My object, of course, is to point out as clearly as possible the structure of the gospel, and to explain according to my measure why there are these strong differences between the gospels of Matthew and the rest, as compared with one another. The Old Testament A man is not a Christian if his first concern is pay. The simple meaning seems to be: As those who did not come at the invitation of the householder to work in the vineyard did not receive the denarius, or wages, so those who do not obey the call of the Gospel, and believe in Christ Jesus, shall not inherit eternal life. The New Testament Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. So He said to them, You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.. Of course, there is often the order of time, but through the central part, and not infrequently elsewhere, his setting forth in order turns on another principle, quite independent of mere succession of events. The details, found elsewhere, of her being at the point of death then, before reaching the house, the news that she was dead, are not here. (3.) Pauline Epistles So we have a farther scene. 'These last,' they said, 'have only worked for one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have home the burden and the hot wind of the day.' Still further, here is demonstrated the unshakable loyalty of the disciples. GO GO GO! They next proceeded to the creation of subaltern officers, whom the tribunes chose from among the soldiers of the greatest reputation. A few I have chosen for higher stations in the church. When He reigns as David's Son, there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts. Those first hired are actually paid least in proportion to their labor and receive the least pleasure from their pay. The woman at last meets the heart and mind of Jesus in the sense of all her utter nothingness before God; and then grace, which had wrought all up to this, though pent-up, can flow like a river; and the Lord can admire her faith, albeit from Himself, God's free gift. yea, they may forget, yet will not I forget thee. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? The plucking of the corn, and the healing of the withered hand, had taken place long before. Thus He sets forth both the past, the present, and the awful future of Israel, before the day of His own coming from heaven, when there will be not only the return of idolatry, solemn to say, but the full power of Satan associated with it, as we see in Daniel 11:36-39; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Revelation 13:11-15. First of these comes the treasure hidden in the field, for which the man sells all he had, securing the field for the sake of the treasure. The parable teaches one truth, and but one; and where Jesus has explained it, we have no right to add to it, and say that it teaches anything else. Changes, to us inexplicable, occur: many first last, and last first. A fish was the last being for man to make his banker of; with God all things are possible, who knew how to blend admirably in the same act divine glory, unanswerably vindicated, with the lowliest grace in man. Out of the market-place, where, till they are hired into God's service, they stand idle (Matthew 20:3; Matthew 20:3), all the day idle (Matthew 20:6; Matthew 20:6). Wisdom Literature Luke-Acts And so anti what Jesus has declared. My last word to Gods children is this: what does it matter, after all, whether we are first or whether we are last? Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. The discontent arose not because of any injustice in the landowner, but because of jealousy in the all-day workers (Matthew 20:9-15). a. And when the devil was come out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel." Now what is Jesus seeking to teach by this parable of sending forth the laborers into the vineyard? And someone said, "Jesus is going by." 4. It may indeed have had a comparatively limited application when it was spoken for the first time; but it contains truth which goes to the very heart of the Christian religion. But there's a big twist. Pentateuch Nothing was more a mystery in the gospel dispensation than the rejection of the Jews and the calling in of the Gentiles; so the apostle speaks of it (Ephesians 3:3-6); that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs: nor was any thing more provoking to the Jews than the intimation of it. But in the case of those who were engaged later, there is no word of contract; all they wanted was the chance to work and they willingly left the reward to the master. This parable taught the disciples not to think of heavenly rewards in terms of justice, getting in proportion to what they deserved. Any worker was welcome, even if he could give only an hour to the work. Now life treated James and John very differently. "Thank the Lord, my rock, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle, my merciful one, my fortress, my stronghold, and my savior, my". And so with the other conversation: "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father;" it was after the glory of Christ had been witnessed on the holy mount, when man's selfishness of heart showed itself in contrast to the grace of God. This parable gives a vivid picture of the kind of thing which could happen in the market-place of any Jewish village or town any day, when the grape harvest was being rushed in to beat the rains. The woman of Canaan, out of the borders of Tyre and Sidon, appeals to Him; a Gentile of most ominous name and belongings a Gentile whose case was desperate; for she appeals on behalf of her daughter, grievously vexed with a devil. Then inside the house we have not only the Lord explaining the parable, the history from first to last of the tares and wheat, the mingling of evil with the good which grace had sown, but more than that, we have the kingdom viewed according to divine thoughts and purposes. The Lord works in delivering power; but withal the power of Satan fills and carries away the unclean to their own destruction. e. And to give His life a ransom for many: The death of Jesus the giving of His life purchased the freedom of His people. Peter, the good confessor of chapter 16, cuts but a sorry figure in chapter 17; for when the demand was made upon him as to his Master's paying the tax, surely the Lord, he gave them to know, was much too good a Jew to omit it. Luke-Acts All that are chosen from eternity, are effectually called, in the fulness of time (Romans 8:30), so that in making our effectual calling sure we make sure our election (2 Peter 1:10); but it is not so as to the outward call; many are called, and yet refuse (Proverbs 1:24), nay, as they are called to God, so they go from him (Hosea 11:2; Hosea 11:7), by which it appears that they were not chosen, for the election will obtain,Romans 11:7. Very apt we all are to undervalue the deserts of others, and to overvalue our own. Now notice, the mother is the one doing the speaking, but the boys are right there behind her. Higher proportionate rewards shall be given to them than to others. Jesus was there to call, not righteous men, but sinners. A Gentile (indeed, any mind not under any kind of legal prejudice or difficulty) would be far more moved by a detailed account of what was more, conspicuous.