Matthew chapter 20

Jesus gave us an example of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a person who hires employees. The employer paid everyone the same amount regardless of how long they worked. In God's Kingdom it doesn't matter how long you are working, God will give you a just reward. The employer in the story asked the person who complained about his pay "is your eye evil because I am good?" Let us learn from this. We will give praise to God for our reward and the reward of others. Let us become very busy about our Father's business and trust that He will always do what is right. Notice another aspect of the employer. He was looking for those who were not working. Our Father is constantly in search by His Holy Spirit of those who are idle. He wants to put everyone to work in the Kingdom of God. I suggest we assist Him in His endeavor by sharing the message of His love to all we can.

Now Jesus said so plainly that He would be arrested, mocked, beaten, crucified and rise to life on the third day. There is no account that any disciple responded. This was plainly spoken to them. How many times have the Word of God, a preacher or the Holy Spirit plainly spoken to you and you did not understand or respond? The Lord is not mysterious as some want to claim. He is plain and simple. Sometimes people just don't listen.

Position or the desire of it can bring destruction into any assembly. Two of the disciples James and John, Zebedee's children, desired to have position on the right and left of Jesus. In one regard this is a good thing. They wanted to be next to Him because they thought they were worthy. It certainly is better to think yourself worthy rather than unworthy. On the other hand it could have been the mother's plan and the men were innocent in the request. Additionally, the other disciples were upset about the request. Maybe each of them thought they should be given such a position, but they were not bold enough to ask for it. Jesus explained that they would partake of the call and anointing that He would partake of, but He had no authority to tell them who would sit where in the Kingdom. He explained that was Father's authority alone. Let us remember that it is the Father who sets up or bring down. Let us not get too involved in seeking man's recognition that we miss our Father's recognition.

As Jesus and His disciples walked along, two blind men found out it was Jesus passing by. They cried out with a loud voice for Him to have mercy on them. These men did not keep quiet when others told them they were too loud. They did not care about what others thought of them. They had a request and they wanted their request to be heard. Jesus asked them what they wanted and they knew. It was not an unspoken request, it was not a silent prayer, it was not a remember me, it was "to receive my sight"; a definite request. Make definite request to the Lord. You have His attention tell Him exactly what you want. It will be done for you. Jesus healed these men, and they followed Him. They became disciples of Jesus.