Servants of the King (Matthew 20:1-34)

Opening Prayer

Scripture Reading

Matthew 20:1–34 NKJV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Introduction:

So last week we had a look at the following topics:

Marriage and Divorce - how God designed it, what constitutes a marriage and instances in which God permits divorce.

Celibacy - why some choose it and why others don’t.

Jesus heart for children.

The Rich Young Ruler - how wealth is a stumbling block to some coming to salvation.

But although it is extremely difficult for the rich to obtain eternal life - everything is possible with God.

This week we will look at the following themes:

The parable of the workers in the vineyard.

How Jesus predicted his death and resurrection for the third time.

Greatness in serving, following in Jesus example.

Jesus healing two blind men on His way to Jerusalem, and the compassion he shows others even in the midst of inner turmoil.

Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1–16 NKJV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Here we see Jesus explaining another parable to His disciples.

Like we learned before, Jesus makes use of parables to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

He makes comparisons to illustrate a singular point.

So what does this parable mean? Lets have a look.

Firstly, we see the owner of a vineyard going out into the market place to hire workers.

Early in the morning, he hires workers to work in his vineyard.

These workers agreed to work for the owner for a denarius.

A denarius was a typical days wage for workers.

A typical day was divided into four three-hour increments, running between 06:00 A.M. to 06:00 P.M.

At the third hour (09h00), he went out again into the market place and found those standing idle.

These workers agree to be paid what is right, not a denarius. They simply trusted that the vineyard owner would pay them was right.

The same happened at the sixth hour and the ninth hour.

At the eleventh hour (17h00), the landowner went out again in the market place, and found those who had been desperately searching for work all day.

They agreed to be paid whatever the owner of the vineyard felt was right - they were simply grateful to find the opportunity to work.

When evening came, the time came for the owner to pay the workers.

Here we see something interesting happening:

The landowner decided to pay all the workers, the exact same wage.

Those who started working early in the morning, those who started in the third hour, the sixth hour, the ninth hour and the eleventh hour all received a denarius.

Why? Because the landowner wanted to be gracious. He wanted to be kind to those who were struggling.

But when the others saw this, they started grumbling and complaining.

They felt it was unfair.

They questioned the landowner.

But the landowner gently answers their complaint.

The landowner wanted to be gracious and wanted to help those who were struggling to find work.

Those who were complaining heart was in the wrong place.

They failed to be thankful to be thankful for the opportunity they had been given, and thought too highly of themselves.

They believed they were of greater importance to the landowner because they had worked for the vineyard owner longer.

They lacked compassion - they were interested only in their own well being and not the well being of others.

They wanted to be the most important, the most respected, at the center of what the landowner was doing.

This is not a Christlike attitude, we are instructed to have the following mindset.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Romans 12:3 NKJV

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her own worth by what they do for God.

We should not be comparing ourselves with others.

This only leads to envy and covetousness.

God does not show partiality/favoritism.

Whether you are the senior pastor of the church, or the janitor.

God loves you the same and will treat you equally.

No one is more special to God than the other.

No one is above another.

Your worth is not determined by what you do for God or the length of time you do it for.

God will reward each of us as he see’s fit - you can trust in His character, like the later workers, that He will reward them fairly.

So stay humble and serve God with the right heart.

Do everything you do as unto God and not as unto man.

Colossians 3:22–25 NKJV

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Now coming to the last verse:

Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.””

Not only that, God has a special place in his heart for the humble.

Those who do seemingly insignificant work in God’s Kingdom, like pouring coffee, sweeping floors, and packing chairs will more than likely receive greater rewards than those who seem to hold “important” positions in the church - like the elders of a church or highly successful evangelists.

When we stand before God on judgement day, we will be shocked with what work God deemed to be the most important work of His Kingdom.

The last will be first and the first will be last.

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Matthew 20:17–19 NKJV

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

V18:

Here we see Jesus again knowing the future. Why? Because He is omniscient, He is God, and holds all knowledge.

He is telling His disciples, for the third time, what awaits Him as He enters into Jerusalem.

So lets have a look, did Jesus prediction about Himself come to pass?

Was Jesus betrayed?

Yes. Jesus was betrayed by Judas into the hands of the chief priests and scribes (Matthew 26.47-57).

Was Jesus condemned to death by the hands of the chief priests and scribes? Yes. And why did they condemn Him? Because He claimed to be God.

They accused Him of blasphemy, for which they wanted Him to be put to death.

John 19:7 NKJV

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”

V19:

Was Jesus delivered over to the Gentiles? Yes.

The chief priests and scribes did deliver Jesus over to the Gentile authorities - to Pilate.

Mark 15:1 NKJV

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

However, Pilate could not find fault with Him.

Luke 23:4 NKJV

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

However, Pilate folded under the pressure the Jews put on Him.

He wanted to please the large crowds, pressuring him to kill Jesus.

So he allowed for an exchange.

He released Barabbas in Jesus place, and Jesus was scourged and crucified.

Mark 15:15 NKJV

So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

While that happened, the Gentile soldiers openly mocked and ridiculed Him.

Matthew 27:29 NKJV

When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Then they crucified Jesus, not knowing they were fulfilling God’s plan to save both the Jews and Gentiles from the same people.

The very people murdering Jesus, was the exact same people He was saving.

But He gave up His life willingly, because He loved them.

They had no idea what they were doing and Jesus knew that.

Luke 23:33 NKJV

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

But that is not the end of the story, Jesus was buried for three days and rose again defeating sin and death.

He was victorious and He emerged from the grave alive.

Appearing alive to many, many people!

1 Corinthians 15:3–6 NKJV

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.

And because of what Jesus did on the cross for you and me, we can have eternal life.

But in order to do that we have to turn from our sins and put our trust in Jesus.

Acts 3:19 NLT

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

Listen to what Romans 10:9-10 says.

Romans 10:9–10 NLT

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

If you would like to give your life to Jesus today, please come speak to me afterward - I would be happy to pray with you.

So to answer the question: Did Jesus predictions come true? Yes.

He knew this was the Father’s Plan of Redeem and save mankind from Hell.

Jesus willingly went through all that pain and suffering, in order to save us and have us spend eternity with Him.

He knew there was no other way to pay for the sins of mankind.

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Greatness in Serving:

Matthew 20:20–28 NKJV

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The women asking Jesus to allow her sons to sit at his left and right, is the the mother of James and John.

Her name was Salome.

The ESV Study Bible tells us, that Salome was not only the mother of James and John, but was more than likely the sister of Mary, Jesus mother.

Meaning, that both James and John were likely cousins of Jesus.

She would later be one of the women standing at the cross of Jesus at His death.

She also witnessed the empty tomb.

Salome was more than likely asking this question in response to that which Jesus had said in Matthew 19:28, where He said this about the His twelve disciples:

Matthew 19:28 NKJV

So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Sitting at the right hand and the left hand of Jesus would mean she was requesting that her sons were seated in honorable positions in the coming Kingdom.

Jesus responded to the Salome and the two brothers directly.

He asked them if they would be able to drink of the same cup of suffering that He must endure.

The one He just warned them about coming upon Jesus in Jerusalem.

They had no idea what they were asking for, but they thought they were able endure this type of suffering.

Jesus, therefore, warned them that they would indeed drink of His cup of suffering. But to be seated at His right and left hand was up to the Father to decide.

James was the first apostolic martyr - he was killed with a sword.

Acts 12:2 NKJV

Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

John suffered persecution. According to tradition, John was boiled alive and survived - after which he was exiled on Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:9 NLT

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

The other disciples, however, got upset Salome’s request.

Why? Because Salome and the brothers, were trying to gain an unfair advantage over the other disciples by using their family relationship to manipulate their place of importance the church and the coming Kingdom.

Unfortunately, there are still people today that abuse their family relationships to elevate themselves to a place of importance. Why? Because they are power hungry.

Jesus, therefore, has to rebuke people like this.

If you wanted to be great in the Kingdom of God you have to become like Jesus- a humble servants.

In fact the title given Jesus in Isaiah 53 is the suffering servant.

He did not come to be served but to serve.

God takes pride very seriously.

Jesus kicked Satan and a third of his angels out of Heaven of it.

He hates pride and pride is extremely dangerous.

The Bible repeatedly warns us it repeatedly.

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

In fact, God actively opposes the proud.

James 4:6 CSB

But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

All the disciples had to learn this important lesson: Humility.

You will never be an effective leader in God’s church, until you have learned to be an effective servant.

And if Jesus and the disciples were content with that title, so should we be.

In fact, Paul took this so seriously - that in almost all His letter He introduced himself first as an bondservant and then a apostle. For example:

Romans 1:1 NKJV

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

We have to become like Jesus, He does not expect us to do something - which He himself has not done.

Listen to this:

Philippians 2:5–11 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, we as disciples of Jesus need to adopt the attitude of Matthew 23.11-12, and constantly remind ourselves of the value of humility and servanthood.

Matthew 23:11–12 NKJV

But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight

Matthew 20:29–34 NKJV

Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

In the final scene of this chapter, we see Jesus on his way to Jersualem - knowing His on His way to be crucified for the sins of the world.

On the way, multitudes continue to follow Him.

But He hears the cries of two blind men, begging for help.

These blind men cry out to Jesus twice, but the crowds try to silence them.

But not Jesus.

Jesus hears them, helps them, has compassion on them and heals them.

That is the type of God we serve.

A God that put the needs of others before Himself, irrespective of what He might be going through personally - a true servant.

Closing Prayer