Matthew 20:17-34

He Who Has Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear

Matthew 11:15 NKJV

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

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.”

The Path to Glory

Jesus here speaks to His disciples. He shares with them what is about to happen. His words are simple and not difficult to understand.

First He takes them aside on the Road.

We need to be taken aside from all the business of life to hear from Jesus. To receive instructions and direction.

Take the Time to wait on the Lord

WE Are going up to Jerusalem - We are invited to Journey with Christ to see His Glory!

He Wants you to know you are invited to participate in His work here.

This journey leads us through tribulations:

It is hard to listen when we are scared or afraid

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the trials and tribulations the Cup that He was about to suffer. He also wanted them to understand that they too would partake of this cup.

Matthew 20:22–23 NKJV

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.”

Following Jesus means walking through the fire

John 16:33 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus would be betrayed

He would be condemned to death

He would be mocked, scourged and crucified

And then on third day He would Rise Again.

1. The Path of Purpose Goes Through Death Into Eternal Life

This isn’t a negative thing because the guarantee is that no matter what Death has been defeated and Victory is Guaranteed by God!

1 Peter 4:12–13 NKJV

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

James 1:12 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

When we don’t listen we miss the point! We assume the wrong things, we live off of assumptions and interpretation instead of relationships.

The illustration of me as a young pastor visiting a dying man!

We are invited to Partner with Chirst in Suffering, Not to suffer alone or to stand in denial or in defeat

We can try to follow Jesus from a place of Lack… of need. and this will distort our ability to handle life and its troubles.

This next example comes from the disciples and one of the mothers request.

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 Wrong Kind Thinking

Ambition/Desire

The mother of James and John request that her sons be seated at the right and left of Jesus. Jesus told her she didn’t know what she was asking for. She didn’t understand how the Kingdom of God works. Jesus saw the intent of her heart that she thought that what her sons needed was position and influence and that a good title and a seat in heaven would grant them that.

The problem with this ask is that it was from a thought process based on the fact that her sons would benefit from this.

Her Ambition was misguided because her understanding was incorrect. You can’t pray the right prayer if you don’t understand clearly what Jesus is says about it.

Jesus pointed out the “Cost” the baptism they would have to endure. the “Cup” they would have to drink from.

Pain and suffering:

Pain from lies is destructive

When you are in the truth Pain doesn’t have the upper hand in your life.

Jesus understood pain and suffering and how it didn’t have any hold on Him. But it was

The second time Jesus called his disciples to himself to talk:

Jesus began teaching them what Kingdom Leadership looks like.

The comparison Jesus uses is based off the model they had in the world.

Rulers “lord it over” they “exercise authority over them”

If you desire to be great, become a servant.

want to be first let him be the slave

like Jesus the son of man didn’t come to serve but to serve and to give himself for many.

The World Standard…

I need to be first and in charge, because I need something. I need people to serve me, I need people to obey me, I want things done my way, I am better or special and am here to show people how its done.

God’s Standard.

I am full and abundant and don’t need anything from you. I am here for you without any strings attached.

There we two men with physical disabilities who had ears to hear. They understood who Jesus was.

They heard through the noise.

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.

Recognizing the King

We don’t need have 20/20 vision but we need to have faith In Jesus. Faith that He is who He says he is.

Faith to see beyond my own limitations the reach and wisdom of God.

When You know who God is, people cant keep you quiet

3. Restoring Sight and Faith