Matthew__21

Scripture  Matthew 21:28-32   “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’  “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.  “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.

Observation-What does it say?  Jesus is speaking with a group of the chief priests, and they decide to question his authority.  Jesus answers with a group of parables: the parable of the two sons, the parable of the vineyard tenants, and the parable of the wedding guests.  The three parables display different aspects of disobedience to Jesus.  In the parable of the two sons, we see an example of a sincere act of obedience in the first son, even though his words would show otherwise.  The second son mocks his father through his disobedience.  

Understanding-What does it mean?  Sometimes I feel like I am going crazy when I am yelling at my kids to clean their room.  I mean how many times do I have to tell them calmly and quietly.  The first 82 times I asked them to clean their room I was able to hold my composure.  Why at 83 did I suddenly turn into the Hulk?  Smashing Lego creations that took them two weeks to build.  Putting their favorite stuffed animals in the trash.  This is when my kids really show concern for their belongings, once the reality sets in that I can make it all disappear.  It’s like they don’t understand the value of a dollar.    

I know that I did the same thing when I was their age.  And, the reality is, I still struggle with being obedient.   I often struggle with being generous with people who I “don’t deserve it.”  Or I treat people the way I feel have “earned.”  I treat the outcasts with disdain because I don’t care for the way they smell, or how they look.  I play favorites and treat people the way I feel they deserve, even though God’s word clearly states this is sin.  I go to church, pay my tithes, I even volunteer to help in different ministries.  But, these things are all in my comfort zone.  

In Matthew 20:1-16, we learn about God’s amazing generosity with us.  In the parable of the workers, we see that God shares equally with all who will come to him.  Why, then, do I find it so hard to show love to the outcasts.  I let my pride get in the way.  

Life Application  Jesus, I am sorry for being so prideful.  I am sorry for showing favoritism and not showing love to those who are “less desirable.”  Help me to love others the way I love myself.  Help me to let go of my biases and see people with the same love you do.            

-Tyler Galloway

Matthew _20

Scripture

Matthew 20:20,1612 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”ObservationJesus was describing what the kingdom of heaven was like. He compared it to a landowner who went out to hire laborers to work in his vineyard. Some he found early in the morning and agreed to pay them a denarius, a whole days wage. Others he found later at different times even towards the end of the day, and paid them the same amount as the laborers who started in the morning. Say what!?UnderstandingFather God is so good!Ephesians 2:7-8  "7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."I am humbled by God's generosity of love.I get to share in the inheritance no matter when I started. Father God is so good! I don't deserve any reward! Certainly not the same reward of those that have gone before me.I can only imagine what it must feel like to have been laboring, putting in the time and effort for so long only to receive the same reward.Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”However, I think in this scripture Jesus was commenting on the first workers complaining, bad attitude toward unfair division of wages, and desire to be recognized for hours of laborious work. Their heart was ugly toward their fellow laborers who came in late. He should have shown gratitude for the wages and  having a fellow laborer to help, the humility to be happy for the latecomer who was receiving such an amazing wage!ApplicationDesire to serve over wanting to be used.When we want to be used it comes with a longing to be seen for our work and to be recognized for our gifts and talents. When we desire to serve it comes with a longing to do what is being asked of us even if it doesn’t fit into our gifts and talents and it remains unseen.

Let’s be okay with being unnoticed, outranked, and unpaid. Store up treasure in heaven. Let’s rejoice with our brothers and sisters who come into the kingdom of heaven and share in the same inheritance.

 

Matthew 20:28 "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."

Humility and gratitude are always the right response. Do away with pride and allow humility to reveal our true condition.Father, thank you for your salvation through your son Jesus Christ that allows me to be a laborer in your kingdom. We take off our pride that distorts the truth and put on humility that reveals our true condition. Holy Spirit come empower us to work alongside my brothers and sisters with a happy heart of gratitude for them coming into the kingdom and forever grateful for your immeasurable grace and mercy! In Jesus name, Amen!Deborah Lee

Matthew__19

Scripture

Matthew 19:13-14

13Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Observation-What does it say?

When the little children were brought to Jesus, His disciples rebuked them. They rebuked the people who brought the kids to Jesus. The Oxford American dictionary defines rebuke as, “express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.” The disciples were critical of the fact that little children were brought to Jesus, but Jesus told His disciples to let them come. Jesus welcomed the children, blessed them and prayed for them. 

Understanding-What does it mean?

It doesn’t matter what age, race, gender, or past we have. We can all come to Jesus and He will accept us with open arms.

Children were just like women back in those times in Jewish culture. They were not highly regarded. However, Jesus continued to break those social barriers. When doing research on gotquestions.com, it said that, “It is likely that their (the disciples') move to hinder the parents from bringing their children to Jesus was motivated not by unkindness, but by a desire to respect Jesus’ position as a teacher.”

To the disciples, Jesus’ position as a teacher gave Him no time to pray over children because He had more important matters to attend to. However, Jesus continued to show His disciples that He was there to serve people no matter what gender or age they were. He came to serve everyone, to die for ALL and to resurrect from the grave so that we could have life in Him. The Kingdom of Heaven did not only belong to the religious leaders or to men, but to the sinners, the poor, the women, the children and everyone else who weren’t socially accepted in those days.

Life Application

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 NIV

Think of people today who are not socially accepted or people we write off because they are unlike us. Poor/homeless, mentally ill, sick, broken, needy, hurt, dependent....you fill in the blank. 

Those are the people that Jesus went out of His way to minister to and who we should to as well. There are no cultural, social, age, gender, or political gaps with Jesus. Everyone has an opportunity to be part of the Kingdom of Christ because in His Kingdom, those barriers do not exist.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You loved and love the “least of these” and as we were adopted into your family, we inherited more than the world has to offer, life with You. I pray against any cultural or social filter/barrier that prevents us from reaching out to those You desire in Your Kingdom. As Your Word says, "the last shall be first and the first shall be last (Matt. 19:30)." May we have a humble servant’s view towards people just like You had towards us. We love You Jesus and thank You for choosing us despite who we were. May we extend that same love and grace towards others when reaching out. Amen. 

Source:

gotquestions.org/let-the-little-children-come-to-me.html

-Michelle Gaddi