In verses one through sixteen, we read about the parable of the vineyard workers. Verse one compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the landowner who went and hired workers for the vineyard. He went out early one morning to find workers, agreed to pay them a full day’s wage, and sent them into the vineyard to work. At different times during the day, the landowner found and sent more workers into the vineyard; the last group was found and sent to work only one hour before the day was over. At closing, he called all of the workers to him to be paid. He paid them all the same wage, a full day’s wage. The workers that were there all day protested out of jealousy because they felt as if they should’ve been paid more than the others. BUT they had agreed to their pay at the beginning of the day. Friend, Jesus paid the ultimate wage for our lives. We all are workers within the Kingdom of God and our wage for the work that we do is the same wage, eternal life. We need to tend to our own work and our own wage.
In verses 17 through 19, we read that Jesus and the disciples were headed to Jerusalem. Jesus spoke with them privately telling them that He would be betrayed, sentenced to death, handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. BUT on the third day, He would be raised from the dead. I believe this is the third prophecy of His death and resurrection within this chapter.
In verses 25 through 28, we read that Jesus called the disciples together and explained the significance of serving others. He told them that whoever wanted to be a leader among them must be a servant, and whoever wanted to be first among them must become a slave. He ended this by saying even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. Friend, we are called to serve others not to be served. We dare not think more highly of ourselves.
In verses 30 through 34, two blind men heard that Jesus was coming through their area so they began to cry out for Him to have mercy on them. The people attempted to silence them, but they kept calling out to Jesus. He stopped and asked them what they wanted to which they responded to see. Jesus had compassion for them and touched their eyes; instantly, they were healed. That’s not all. After being healed, they followed Him. Friend, I believe that God has done more than enough for us to seek the Healer and follow Him.
Real Talk with Keve 