Saturday, January 23
Read Matthew 20
Think About It:
- This parable (verses 1-16) is about God’s grace. New Christians and long-time Christians are all equal in the kingdom of God. Also, whether you accept Christ as a child or just before you die; we all receive heaven as our reward. How does this truth bring peace to your heart and mind?
- In verses 17-18, Jesus tells His disciples a third time of His impending death and resurrection. They still do not get what Jesus is trying to say, instead they start arguing over who will be greatest in His kingdom. In verses 26-27, who does Jesus say will be greatest in His kingdom? In verse 28, what is Jesus’ greatest service to us?
- The commentary in the Life Application Bible suggests that the blind beggars (verses 29-34) could “see” more clearly who Jesus was than the rest of the crowd following Him. They called Him “Son of David,” which indicated that they knew He was the Messiah.
Family Time:
- The Kingdom of Heaven is like what? This parable is not about rewards, it’s about salvation. A teaching about grace, wonderful grace. We should be happy for those that turn to God in their final hours of life because no one deserves eternal life…it is only by His grace.
- What did the Son of Man come to do?
- Those blind beggars could see that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (because they called Him, Son of David). The religious leaders who witnessed Jesus’ miracles were blind to His identity, refusing to open their eyes to the truth. Seeing with your eyes does not guarantee seeing with your heart!
