Matthew 20

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (vs. 1-16)—Peter had asked the question in Matthew 19:27, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" This sounds more than a bit self-serving: “Ok, Lord, look what we are doing for you. Now what are we going to get for it?”—in other words, is Peter serving solely out of self-interest? Jesus provides two answers to the question. The first, in 19:29, informs us that, indeed, anyone who leaves all to serve Him will be truly blessed. But Peter’s self-serving mentality cannot be left untouched, because our service to God simply must be deeper than that. So Jesus relates this parable at the beginning of chapter 20. A landowner goes out in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. He finds some men, and “he…agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day” (v. 2). But he needs more workers so a few hours later he hires some more and tells them—and this is crucial—“whatever is right I will give you” (v. 4). Do you see the difference between the two groups? One, with Peter’s attitude, bargained with the landowner—“ok, we’ll work, but what are we going to get out of it?"  In other words, working just for the wages they could obtain. But the second group went to work and trusted in the goodness of the landowner to give them “whatever is right.” They didn’t bargain with him; they appreciated the opportunity to work in his vineyard and knew he would reward them fairly. The landowner (representing God, of course) went out a few more times during the day and hired more laborers. At the end of the work period, each group, including workers who had labored only an hour, received a denarius. The men that were first hired didn’t think that was fair: “'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'” (v. 12). But the landowner said to them, “'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” (vs. 14-15). They had gotten what they had agreed to; they had no reason to complain.

Now, again, Jesus plainly told Peter that those who left all would be rewarded; and in the parable, the laborers who made the agreement indeed received their reward. But what Jesus is attempting to do here is put our service to God on a higher plane, i.e., that we should labor simply for the privilege of doing so and trust in the beneficence of the Master. If we work only for the wages, then chances are we aren’t going to do much more than is necessary to obtain them--and miss the great blessings of joy in serving God and others. Where is the appreciation to the Lord for what He has done for us? Where is the trust in Him? Will we not serve Him better if we serve Him out of love and gratitude than simply for what He will give us in return? Indeed, “the last will be first and the first last” (v. 16). Those who serve Him out of love and gratitude will be far more blessed than those who simply serve for the rewards. A marvelous parable.

Jesus again announces His coming death (vs. 17-19)—This is the third time He has done so, but so contrary was a crucified Messiah to the expectations of the disciples that the repetition is necessary. And they still won’t get it until after His resurrection.

Greatness in the kingdom (vs. 20-28)—The mother of James and John had a special request of Jesus: “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom" (v. 21). Well, a mother certainly wants the best for her sons, but this does sound selfish. And, again, she has an earthly perspective—Jesus will literally reign from Jerusalem, and sitting at His right hand and left hand would obviously be a place of honor. Jesus responded “You do not know what you ask” (v. 22). He would suffer, not reign on this earth, but James and John did not realize that—even though He had just told them again (vs. 17-19) of His coming death. The other apostles, not surprisingly, were indignant at the request (v. 24). Jesus informs them all that true greatness in His kingdom lies in serving others: “'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'” (vs. 26-28). And again, this just did not fit the apostles’ conception of an all-conquering Christ. But they’d learn.  Have we?

Jesus heals two blind men (vs. 29-34)—As He went on His way, two blind men shouted to Him, asking for mercy. The crowd told them to hush, but honest persistence has a way of paying off with the Lord: “But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!’" (v. 31). Jesus stopped and asked them what they wanted. “Lord, that our eyes may be opened” (v. 33). “So Jesus had compassion on them” and healed them (v. 34). He never lacked compassion, and He was never too busy to help people in need. After the previous discussion with His apostles, it was a lesson they sorely needed.