March through Matthew with Jesus:

Matthew 20

During Lent in March we continue reading through the Gospel of Matthew, one chapter a day--28 chapters--with points to ponder, background information and personal application. Pray God strengthens our faith on this spiritual journey in His Holy Word.

Some Points to Ponder as we read Matthew 20:

1. We may take God’s grace for granted at times, but it IS truly AMAZING! God’s way of operating does not match our typical human expectations. Nothing we do earns God’s favor. This is the nature of grace. There may be “no such thing as a free lunch,” but there IS such thing as FREE SALVATION (the greatest, most priceless treasure we have) through Jesus!  

2. Jesus tells the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Mt. 20:1-15). It is fascinating to NOTE and compare what Jesus says in the 2 verses just before and after this parable:

> Mt. 19:30- “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

> Mt. 20:16 - “So the last will be first, and the first last.”

God’s way of operating and treating us totally re-defines reality as we know it!

3. Here’s something helpful to keep in mind as your read Scripture: Matthew 20:3 says, “And going out about the third hour…” So…what time was/is “the third hour”? It was 9 a.m. The NT way of reckoning time was to number the hours from around sunrise to sunset. Thus, the FIRST hour would be about 6:00 a.m., the SIXTH hour would be NOON, and the TWELFTH hour would be about 6:00 p.m.

4. In Matthew 20:17-19 Jesus predicts His PASSION (suffering and death) for the third and final time in Matthew. This is noteworthy, because it shows Jesus knew where His journey was taking Him--to Jerusalem and Calvary to pay the ultimate price in order to save us. No one was forcing Jesus to do this. The Jewish leaders and Pontius Pilate were not running the show--God was. Jesus did everything He did for us out of His incredible, intentional and voluntary love knowing full well His mission was the fulfillment of God’s salvation plan.

5. Who were the “…sons of Zebedee…” (Mt. 20:20)? James and John (see Mt. 4:21-22).

6. Matthew 20:29-34 ends by saying Jesus and His disciples are in Jericho (known as an ancient, tropical city famous for its palms and dates). While in Jericho Jesus has mercy upon and heals two blind men. Jericho is about 15 miles east of Jerusalem. They will all soon be going on the steep climb from the very low elevation Jericho up to Bethphage and Jerusalem (and the Mount of Olives). 

> The PALM Sunday parade is coming in Matthew 21…!  

We now read Matthew 20…    

Matthew 20 (ESV)

Laborers in the Vineyard

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

A Mother's Request

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Personal Reflection question: What is one thing you especially love about the season of Lent?

+Prayer+ Dear Jesus, thank You for EVERYTHING You did for me to save me. Thank You also for EVERYTHING You continue to do for me and bless me with in my life today. ALL Your good gifts are given out of Your amazing grace and undeserved love. I cannot thank You enough, dear Jesus. Amen.

Pastor Scott Schmieding

Senior Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School

115 S. Sixth Street

Saint Charles, MO 63301

636.946.2656