Matthew 20

God is Sovereign in Whom and How He Blesses (1-16)

The parable of the laborers  presents a theme that has been building throughout the Scriptures beginning in Genesis 1.  What theme?  God’s sovereignty.  God is and that is the simple answer human beings will receive regarding to God’s origins.  The Bible doesn’t care to explain something to us that would seem to give humans the ability to make judgements of God.  Similarly, this parable provides an instance where human judgement and God’s judgement differ, but in the end, it is not we who may make judgements of God.

Not only is the sovereignty of God being discussed but also service and reward.  All three of these themes carry over from chapter 19:28-30 providing a more immediate context.  The key to interpreting the Gospels is to look for common themes that spread across several conjoining episodes that form a unit.  In this case, Jesus preserves the sovereign right to be gracious as He will without any charges of injustice, whether a man receives much or a man receives little, its all by grace that he has received anything at all.

In the case of the parable, we see different workers being called to service at different times of the day, some later than others.  At the end of the day to the surprise of the workers who started earlier, everyone receives a day’s wage even the ones who only worked an hour.  To them this seems unfair.  But hence is the purpose of the parable.  The money is the lords do with it as he will.  All of these men were just standing around waiting for something to do and the lord of the fields was gracious to offer work and an agreeable wage.  It is not given to the workers to sit around and make judgements when the lord of the field shows grace to others (v15).

Who gives advice to the Creator? Who instructs Him how to create the universe?  Who is arrogant enough to think they have something to say to God?   God’s grace is a wonderful thing, and when prideful human beings humble themselves, they may find themselves enjoying that grace rather than giving their nearsighted opinions.

Human judgement is severely handicapped.  We might judge some to be ahead of others when in truth the ones who are last will be made first in the kingdom.  At the end of the day, God is good, and it all falls to God’s sovereignty to choose who He will exalt (v16).

Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion (17-19)

Even though Matthew plainly says it here, I cannot imagine the disciples had any idea what Jesus was talking about.  Readers of Matthew’s version of the Gospel, especially those who have read it repeatedly, often read these two verse so quickly it is all too easy to gloss over the words without realizing the impact Jesus’ prophecy.    It is apparent that the disciples have a better idea than most about what kind of King Jesus will be, but even they are not prepared for a crucified Messiah.  And this talk of resurrection on the third day?  There is nothing in scripture other than the similarities of Jonah’s peril in the belly of a great fish that alludes to the Son of God, the King, dying and being raised again.

How the Gospel Should Shape the Citizens of God’s Kingdom (20-33)

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