Day 20, Matthew 20 
At first, it might seem unfair that the laborers
who worked twelve hours were paid the same as those
who worked only one hour. But several important facts
need to be considered. First, those who worked all
day were paid a fair wage, and a wage they agreed
on before they began. They weren't cheated and had
no legitimate reason to gripe. Those who worked just
one hour and received a full-day's wage, however,
had good reason to rejoice.
Jesus wasn't teaching that the thief on the cross,
who repented during the last hours of his wasted
life, and the prophet Jeremiah, who faithfully served
God under persecution for decades, will both receive
the same reward in the end. Notice that the one-hour
laborers only worked for the final hour of the day
because no one hired them until then (20:7). They
would have gladly worked a full day had they been
given the chance. So we learn that God will reward
us based upon how faithfully we take advantage of
the opportunities He gives us. To whom much is given,
much is required (Luke 12:48). Perhaps you have not
been given the supernatural gifts that God gives
to evangelists. Perhaps you don't have the opportunity
to speak to stadiums full of people. Yet you can
receive the same reward in the end as any evangelist
if you will be faithful with the gifts and opportunities
to serve that God gives to you. That is what Jesus
is teaching in the parable of the laborers.
As Jesus ascended from Jericho towards Jerusalem,
the apostles believed that He was about to establish
His kingdom there (see Luke 19:11), even though He
plainly told them that He would die there (20:17-19).
He had very recently promised the twelve that, when
He would sit on His "glorious throne," they
would also "sit upon twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt.19:28). They apparently
assumed that their exaltation was just a matter of
days or hours away, and the mother of James and John
was not satisfied that her two boys would be seated
on two random thrones among twelve. She wanted them
to be second and third in command under Jesus, helping
Him rule over all of Israel! Opportunity was knocking
for the ambitious!
It is quite possible that James and John put their
mother up to her request (see Mark 10:35), which
certainly revealed their spiritual state at that
point. I'm amazed that Jesus didn't explode with
anger or weep with discouragement. Rather, He patiently
taught the twelve about the upside-down order of
His kingdom, where the great ones are not those who
are served, but those who serve. Jesus certainly
preached what He practiced, setting a perfect example
by humbly dying for us, the ultimate act of service.
The Servant-King never ceases to amaze and inspire
us every day.
Pastors, be encouraged that even the Great Shepherd
had to deal with strife in His little flock! After
word leaked of James and John's request to be their
bosses, the 10 resented them. I'm sure they were
glad that Jesus dealt with the problem immediately,
a great lesson for all leaders to learn. Don't avoid
confrontation that is needful, as neglecting it only
makes the inevitable worse.
Here's some encouragement for those who need healing:
Jesus opened the eyes of two blind beggars because
they would not be discouraged by those who told them
to be quiet, and because He "was moved with
compassion" (Matt. 19:34). Has Jesus' compassion waned
since then? Certainly not. He cares about you! So
just like those two beggars, don't let anyone discourage
you either!
HeavenWord Daily Subscription
To subscribe to the HeavenWord Daily, simply submit your e-mail address below. You will receive a devotional each weekday morning and a Heaven's Family e-magazine once a month.
|
