SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 20
THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD (vs. 1-16)
A landowner 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. About the 3rd hour, he hired people to work in his vineyard. He did it on the 6th, 9th, and 11th hour. When evening came, he paid all the workers hired on the 11th hour a denarius. So those who were hired first expected to receive more. But all of them also received a denarius. So, they began to grumble against the landowner and complained why those men who worked only one hour had the same pay. But he answered: “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?”. So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
JESUS AGAIN PREDICTS HIS DEATH (vs. 17-19)
Jesus took his 12 disciples and said to them: “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests 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!” (vs. 18-19)
A MOTHER’S REQUEST (vs. 20-28)
The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus kneeling down asking him to grant her request that one son sits at the right side and the other one on the left side in His kingdom. Jesus said that it is His Father who will be the one deciding and preparing for those places. But you must drink the cup I am going to drink. Then Jesus 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.” (vs. 25-28)
TWO BLIND MEN RECEIVE SIGHT (vs. 29-34)
Two blind men were sitting by the roadside and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” (v. 30) The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted louder. Jesus stopped and asked them what they want him to do. The answered: “We want our sight” (v. 33). Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes and immediately, they received their sight and followed him.
THOUGHTS:
In this parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, the first workers hired demanded a contract and insisted on knowing how much they would get. The other workers trusted the landowner without knowing their pay. When you are doing God’s work, be faithful to do your job and avoid watching the other workers. God is generous. You cannot dictate to Him how much He should reward you. Neither can you compare or get jealous on what others are receiving. Instead, focus on God’s gracious benefits to you and be thankful for what you have.
Salome was the mother of James and John. She came to Jesus and knelt respectfully to ask a favor. She gave Jesus worship, but her real motive was to get something from him. Sometimes believers also play religious games expecting God to to give them something in return. True worship adores and praise Christ for who he is and for what he has done.
Salome wanted to claim the glory of God for her sons forgetting the suffering they must face before living in the glory of God’s kingdom. At the end, James was the first apostle to be martyred and John experienced great trial as a Roman prisoner and was exiled. So, when you pray, do not pray for a throne.
The other disciples were upset with James and John trying to grab the top positions. All the disciples wanted to be the greatest but Jesus taught them that the greatest person in God’s kingdom is the servant of all. Authority given is for useful service to God and his creation, not for self-importance, ambition or respect. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and are humble. Be a faithful servant in serving our Lord.
The two blind men wanted their sight and they trusted Jesus. So Jesus stopped to care for the blind men. When you pray, do you persist even if others try to discourage you?