176. Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard workers: Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem and instructing His disciples. He further clarified about life in the kingdom of heaven in the parable of the workers being paid equally. In it, every worker was paid a denarius (typical pay for a Roman soldier and equivalent to about a penny a day) for their work whether they started early in the morning or at 5:00 p.m. It is a parable that expresses that God's grace and generosity are extended to "latecomers" as well as those who have been around for a long time. It is a story about envy on the part of the "early workers." It was all under God's sovereign control and even those who labored for only one hour could be promoted above those who labored from sunrise to sunset.
177. Jesus predicts his death the third time: Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-34
He had already announced that He was to die and rise again on two previous occasions (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23). He was now on the road to Jerusalem, and He reiterated this point. This is the first time He spoke of His betrayal, condemnation, mocking, scourging, and crucifixion.
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
The Daily Walk, October 7, 2008
A TV commercial shows a husband hunched in front of the TV set engrossed in a sports program. From the kitchen comes the nagging voice of his wife, "Jim, when are you going to paint the house?" To which the beleaguered husband replies, "When they have a sale!" Suddenly, the commercial break announces the "paint sale of the century." Jim's wife immediately chimes in, "Did you hear that?" To which Jim responds, "Zzzz."
Three times Jesus told His disciples of His approaching death and resurrection. . . . Yet Jesus' arrest and execution caught them completely by surprise because they didn't have ears to hear.
Are you an active listener? As you read today's section, do it slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully, interacting with what you read. Then as God speaks to a need of yours, HEAR what He says, and HEED it.PRAYER
Help us to really understand and hear You today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
God is so generous. Latecomers are welcome.
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