A Game of Thrones

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A Game of Thrones

We have talked about how Matthew has divided the gospel account up into sections. This MAIN section that we are in began in chapter 16 with a phrase, “from then on”.
⭐1:1-4:16 was the genealogy of Jesus, his childhood, baptism and temptation. These were the years prior to his official public ministry. It ended with Jesus overcoming temptation in the wilderness with 40 days of testing and the arrest of John the Baptist - it was the end of John’s public ministry and the beginning of Jesus’.
Matthew 4:17 CSB
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
From then on Jesus began to preach...
That was our transition to the second section where Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven, repentance and kingdom living. The section spanned from 4:17-16:20.
At the end of the teaching and miracles section Jesus asked the disciples who people said he was - and the answer was, “a prophet”. BUT, they acknowledged him as the Messiah for the first time.
The disciples were commanded not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Prediction of the Passion

Then we transition to the next major section. ⭐
Matthew 16:21 CSB
21 From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.
From then on Jesus began to teach his disciples about his coming death and resurrection.
That was the beginning of the transition to Jerusalem and the FIRST time Jesus predicted his death.
Later, Peter James and John had an encounter with Yahweh on a mountain with Jesus! They saw Moses and Elijah as well. Jesus was changed in front of them and became like the glory cloud of Yahweh that filled the tabernacle.
After that experience those disciples were commanded not to tell anyone what they had seen… yet.
Matthew 17:9–12 CSB
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 So the disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 “Elijah is coming and will restore everything,” he replied. 12 “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
That was the second clear announcement of his coming death and resurrection. It was given to just those that were on the mountain with him. A few more details are given just a short while after that to all of the disciples: ⭐
Matthew 17:22–23 CSB
22 As they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up.” And they were deeply distressed.
So, this is the third declaration of his death and resurrection, but the second pronouncement to all twelve.
This morning we pick up with the theme of the passion of Christ. Read with me: ⭐
Matthew 20:17–19 CSB
17 While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19 They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.”
This is the fourth prediction and the third to the group of twelve. Actually, I believe this is the first time in Matthew’s gospel they are referred to as “the twelve disciples”.
We started this major movement of the gospel with Jesus saying they were going to Jerusalem and he would be killed as rise from the dead. We end this section as they travel to Jerusalem with another reminder of what is yet to come.
The closer we get to the destination the more detail that is revealed by Jesus.
In typical Matthew fashion, this is a very short, matter-of-fact statement and he appears to just make it and move on. However, this is the third proclamation to the disciples.
ask: what are we supposed to do when we find repetition like this in the same book? Look for the similarities and even more so, the differences.
Let’s look at these together and see if you can point out the differences (and similarities):
COMPARE: ⭐
Matthew 16:21 CSB
21 From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.
The core of the message that is repeated each time includes the following, all of which are in 16:21...
⭐Similarities:
going to Jerusalem
being mistreated
being killed
rising on the 3rd day
So that is our foundation. Let’s look at the next pronouncement: ⭐
Matthew 17:22–23 CSB
22 As they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up.” And they were deeply distressed.
17:22-23 added another significant detail: ⭐
Jesus will be betrayed
It is only one details, but it is very significant. Who is the betrayer? We know the answer but the disciples did not know yet! That topic will come up again as we get to the actual passover celebration.
Now let’s look at the 3rd pronouncement to the twelve: ⭐
Matthew 20:18–19 CSB
18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. 19 They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.”
20:18-19 gets VERY specific and adds a few new details:
the Sanhedrin (scribes, chief priests, legal council) will condemn Jesus to death
Jesus will be killed by Gentiles (which we can assume is Rome because only they had that authority)
Jesus will be mocked, flogged and crucified.
We now have a pretty complete picture of what Jesus expects to take place. We know how it all ends, but this is all being shared in private, with just the twelve.
The final combined picture looks like this: ⭐
They will go to Jerusalem
Jesus will be betrayed by one of the disciples
Jesus will be mistreated by the religious leaderships
Jesus will be condemned to death by the Sanhedrin
The Romans will mock Jesus
The Romans will flog Jesus
The Romans will crucify Jesus
Three days after he dies he will be raised from the dead
We can see from these teachings that Jesus knew what was to come. He understood very well what the Father had planned for him and the price he would pay for the sins of people like you and me.

Thrones

After this teaching, Matthew started the next sentence with the word, “then”. We know from other passages like this that it does not necessarily mean immediately after. In the previous passage, Jesus pulled the twelve aside to talk about his coming crucifixion. When we get to verse 20, two of the disciples and their mom approach Jesus - so we can see that the private meeting had ended long enough for these guys to get back with their families. ⭐
Matthew 20:20–28 CSB
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something. 21 “What do you want?” he asked her. “Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to him. 23 He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; 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.”
ASIDE: there is a pretty major theme in the “drink the cup” statements. I believe we will dive into this as we get to the passover and the garden narrative, so I am going to pass over it for now. However, you might enjoy looking into it!
In our passage there is a woman who approaches Jesus and kneels before him. We never learn her name, but Zebedee’s wife, the mother of James and John, appears to have been pushed by her sons to approach Jesus about showing special favor to her sons. They were two of the earliest disciples, so they had been with Jesus longer than some of the others.
It seems like a rather odd request, especially given the fact that Jesus just predicted that he would be crucified, right?
We need to remember that Jesus had told the disciples that they would sit on thrones. He literally painted this picture in their minds: ⭐
Matthew 19:28 CSB
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
That declaration was on the way to Jerusalem, not long before this encounter. How could you not be excited if you were one of the disciples?! Jesus did NOT give a specific time, but marching towards the City of David, the place of kings, the excitement and anticipation must have been tremendous!
Luke actually recorded this very sentiment: ⭐
Luke 19:11 CSB
11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.
While this passage demonstrates the disciples continued lack of understanding about the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven, I believe it also possibly demonstrates a positive for the disciples.
3 times Jesus mentioned he would be killed, but each time he included the resurrection from the dead. It is VERY possible that even this request for thrones demonstrated the disciples faith and comprehension of the words of Jesus. If he is killed and raised from the dead, surely after that he will be enthroned . Which is true!
However, this was not a theological encounter. This was a power play by James & John. Talk of thrones and kingdoms. Approaching the city of kings with Jesus. The crowds. Things are finally getting real for the kingdom! The disciples had been asking when the kingdom would be established - surely it must be very soon as they near Jerusalem!
The fact that the other disciples are upset is most likely because they wanted the same thing. If you wait until you get to Jerusalem you may be too late - be the first to make a move, and have your MOM do it for you!
While they seemed to understand the thrones and the power, they seemed to forget the lessons on the first becoming last. Not only is this the 3rd time the twelve have heard a prediction of his death and resurrection, it is the 3rd time they are taught about the first being last and the last being first (the upside-down kingdom).
However, this one also has a bit of a twist. Jesus actually expounds on this teaching with 2 insights:
The great and the first are positions of power and importance. Jesus said that to assume that position one must become not just a servant of others, but a SLAVE. Two different words here. Slaves had no rights, no power, no position.
The second insight is in verse 28
Matthew 20:28 CSB
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.”
“Just as” is linking back. Jesus is saying that HE is that servant and slave. YOU, as disciples, must be slaves like Jesus is?! They will not fully understand this, yet. However, they will get it eventually!
Jesus is the ultimate example of the first becoming last - the king of heaven leaving heaven and being rejected by the people who were supposed to praise him, then being killed by those outside of the family. While Jesus was willing to become the least, God the Father will exalt him. I think this passage is explained perfectly by the letter of Paul to the church in Philippi: ⭐
Philippians 2:5–11 CSB
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus has now told the disciples that he was going to Jerusalem to die and be raised from the dead. He is now explaining that he is doing that out of obedience to the Father and to be the greatest servant humanity has ever known - sacrificing his very life so that we may live. He said he came to ransom many.
SIDE NOTE: this is the only time Jesus uses this version of the word “ransom”. However it talks about the purpose of the events that are to come. It is a rescue mission for all of mankind.
Jesus’ twist is that the disciples needed to be like HIM 0 or at least like he WILL BE. They have not seen this yet and it would not make sense until after the events that will take place in Jerusalem. But they will get it, and it will be a hallmark of them and all future disciples.
Matthew 2. Servanthood

Servanthood must exemplify every Christian leader, indeed every Christian. We will never be Christlike until we serve rather than manipulate others to serve us (cf. Phil 2:3–4). As Wilkins says, “Because of the impact of God’s love in our lives, we can now love (1 John 4:19). And because of the transforming impact of God’s gift of grace in our lives, we can now give ourselves to serve others.”

True Vision

After this kingdom teaching we get to the last part of our chapter and this pre-Jerusalem segment of Matthew’s gospel: ⭐
Matthew 20:29–34 CSB
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him.
There was a large crowd going to Jerusalem, including those from Galilee, for the passover. Jesus excused himself from the crowds to have that private conversation with his disciples earlier.
This passage tells us that they were in Jericho. Jericho is the last stop before Jerusalem. This puts them about 15 miles from Jerusalem. Not a short distance on foot, but it is still a LOT closer than they were in Galilee.
MAP ⭐
As the mob headed towards Jerusalem, there are some beggars calling out. With all the travelers to Jerusalem, it was prime time for beggars. People would tend to be more generous to those less fortunate on the way to this festival. Ans there were a LOT more people than usual!
Apparently, word of Jesus and his ability to heal and give sight to the blind had spread through this region. Though the blind men could not see Jesus coming, nor would they know how close to him they were, they figured they might as well call out! Call loud enough and perhaps Jesus will hear you is pretty much the strategy they had.
The crowd tried to stifle the men, commanding them to be silent. The blind guys just got louder! I love it. We are not told why the crowds wanted them to keep quiet. Was it annoying to them? Was it that they thought Jesus should not be bothered by beggars, much like the disciples did not want Jesus to be bothered by the children? In any case, it is the marginalized or “least of these” that is calling out to Jesus.
The blind beggars referred to Jesus as “Lord” 3 times, and as the “Son of David” 2 times. I will not speak much about the Son of David because I believe we will be nerding out on that in the near future. The only thing I will say is that this is an acknowledgement of Jesus as the promised one who would sit on the throne of David, the chosen one (Messiah, Christ). In Matthew’s gospel, only a few have called him this:
The blind men in 9:27
A Canaanite women in 15:22
These blind men
NOTE: is it somewhat ironic that only some blind people and a non-Jew have called Jesus the Son of David?
Jesus responded to the blind men with the same response that he had for James and John’s mom, “What do you want?”. I do not envision this in a voice of consternation, but of compassion.
EXAMPLES: ask the question, “What do you want?” in an annoyed, angry and exasperated voices. Then ask that question as if you were asking it to the love of your life or a sweet, innocent child
The blind men were quick to tell Jesus what they wanted. They wanted the one thing that was out of their reach: to see. I think the fact that they ask for this and not something smaller is some kind of proof that they thought Jesus could actually do it!
Ans Jesus was “moved with compassion”.
This is the 4th time in Matthew’s gospel that Jesus is “moved with compassion”. The other 3 (9:36, 14:14 and 15:32) it was for the crowds.
The crowds lack spiritual leaders (he sent out the disciples)
The crowds lacked health (he healed them)
The crowds lacked food (so he fed them)
This time, the crowds lacked compassion for the blind men and Jesus had compassion not on the crowd but on the two blind men.
Truly the blind men were some of the “least” of the kingdom. They had no way to provide for themselves and relied upon others for pretty much everything - including being led to the road to beg. They were the “children” - those with no position or status in society”. Just as the riches of the young man we previously encountered would seem to have signaled the blessing of God, blindness would most likely have been perceived as the punishment of God. [cf: John 9:1-2]
IF these men were to be perceived as sinners being punished by God, any pious Jew would not want to be associated with them. So, what did Jesus do? He stopped, talked with them, and then touched them to heal them.
They were immediately healed and “follow” Jesus, which is meant to connote that they became disciples (unlike the rich your ruler).
I think this is a beautiful picture of what Jesus still does today: ⭐
Matthew Explanation of the Text

Being blind is a characteristic of all who are not disciples (cf. 13:13–17). The opponents of Jesus, the Jewish leaders, are blind (15:14; cf. 23:16, 17, 19, 24, 26).… Blindness, though, need not be a permanent condition; Jesus’ presence and power to save extends to those who desire to see (cf. 9:27, 28; 12:22; 15:30–31; 21:14).

And our chapter closes with Jerusalem off in the distance but almost in view. They are finalizing their journey UP to Jerusalem - 15 miles away with 3,700’ of elevation gain.
So what was Jesus teaching his disciples in this last section?
Jesus was going to Jerusalem to die as a ransom, and as such was a model of the type of servanthood that must be emulated by all who live in his kingdom. We are to become servants of others, not just of the wealthy, but to the ones that society casts out and looks over. Those that acknowledge Jesus as the one sent from God are the ones that truly see and the ones that are true disciples.
For us today, it is a done reality:
Jesus paid a ransom so that if we humble ourselves and call on him, our eyes will be opened to who he is, so we can follow him to new life and victory over sin and death.
---
THOUGHT:
In a way, this entire passage is an outline of one of the events that took place during the crucifixion. Jesus became the least and was crucified by the Romans as predicted. While on the cross offering sacrifice for the sins of humanity, there were two other “sinners” with him - one on his right, and one on his left. One of the was blind but one of them was able to see who Jesus was and followed him.
Luke 23:38–43 CSB
38 An inscription was above him: This Is the King of the Jews. 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
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