Compared To You…
Brian F. Reid
July 22, 2007
Psalm 37:3, 4, 5, 23 & 24
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you, your heart’s desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
The steps of the godly, are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them, by the hand.”
Occasionally, I get asked about my spiritual walk.
They asked; “How are you doing?’ or they asked; “How do you do it?”
I think people ask, because they feel that a pastor or minister, should have it all together, know where they’re going, and, should sail through life, like a breeze.
But, I also think that they ask, these answers, as they are searching for, guidance and direction; in their own spiritual walk. What they are really saying is; “I’m not doing so good, and I need some help.”
In February 1999, I was baptized at Kentville Baptist Church; with Peggy and Tanya being baptized the two pervious months. It was a special time in my life, and my walk with Christ. There was such a great feeling of excitement and happiness. People were hugging me, and smiling, and laughing. The air was filled a joyous presence.
“Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven, over one (especially) wicked person who repents - that is – changes his mind, hates his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life – than, over 99 righteous persons, who have no need of repentance.”
My (blood) family, my church family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, all congratulated me. They encouraged me, and were proud of what I had done and accomplished.
It was such a time, of celebration!
That was then, and this is now.
So, the question remains; “Brian, how are you doing?”
Well, I sailed along, from 1999 to 2003, when I was asked, if I wanted to attend a men’s Cursilo Weekend Retreat. I knew nothing of, or about this word; Cursilo. A few people from Kentville Church had gone and said they had come home changed people. Well, that right there, would scare anyone – change.
I didn’t want to be changed; change is hard, it requires us to look at ourselves, and make some tough decisions about the way we are, and the way we live. I didn’t want to change, I didn’t know how to change, and I didn’t know what I would change into.
I kept hearing this voice, deep inside me, saying; “Get me ‘outa here!”
But, to tell you the truth, the Mountain Top Experience, I had had back in 1999, was fading fast, and I desperately needed to be re-energized. My spiritual walk was not like it once was. Church was OK, but at times, had been reduced to a social event, and my faith was failing.
As they told me more about this ‘Cursilo’ weekend, I started to get cautiously, enthused, carefully interested, mildly excited, and, somewhat, eager to know more. So, I decided to go.
In May, 2003, on a Thursday evening, I walked into a strange church, into the midst of some strange people, about to do something that seem so very strange, to me. In that room were __ men, and most looked as scared as I was, and all had that same ‘deer in the headlight’ look.
We were sequestered, secluded, and concealed in that church, from Thursday evening to Sunday night; with no contact with the outside world. All of us candidates, were very scared. That was Thursday night, but as the weekend wore on, things would get better.
By Sunday evening, we were a cohesive group, a band of brothers, and we seemed to have grown, so very close, in such a short time. During that weekend, we shared many things with each other; we broke bread together, laughed, sung, and cried together.
But, during all this, and, at our very, very, lowest; and most embarrassing moments, we were never judged or condemned; just because our spiritual walk was less than perfect.
We realized that we simply were not the “macho-men,” that we though we were. And, even though we found out, that were not that strong, we found someone, we could call upon in our times of absolute weakness.
“We were afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not discouraged; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”
That weekend had brought me, the closest, I had ever been, to God’s unconditional, absolute, and everlasting love.
(x2)
The leaders of the weekend, showed, through their actions, compassion and caring, that God loved us - period!
God loved us, plain and simple, no strings attached, and no ‘if’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’! God loved us!
I left that weekend with a renewed sense, of my spiritual walk. I came to realize that everyone’s walk is different, and there will be times that it is so hard, and other times, so exciting and fulfilling. I came to realize, a non-judgmental attitude among these Christians. We came together, and helped each other, all struggling and hurting in some way.
At the close of the weekend, every candidate was presented with a cross, with the inscription; “Christ is counting on you.”
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you; And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
In 2003, after my Cursilo weekend, I wrote this story; “My Spiritual Journey”
And…like this cross says;
Christ is counting on you! Christ is counting on you to walk your walk, with purpose. He wants you to be an example to others. He wants you to help those who stumble, without judgement. He wants you to walk along side of those who seem to wander. He wants you to lift up those who are down-trotted, afflicted, discouraged, persecuted, and forsaken.
He wants you to know, that at times you will lose faith, lose hope, and lose your way. But, He also wants you to know, He is always there for you;
And, Christ is counting on you, to call to Him, in those times of trouble.
Let us pray;
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
“Unexpected Guests”
“Unexpected Guests”
Brian Reid – July 8, 2007
The other night I decide to drop in on one of my neighbors up the street here. The husband and wife had told me numerous times to bring Peggy along and have a visit. These are new friends of ours and we are still getting to know them. Peggy and are a little slow at getting around to everyone, so even though we had had an invitation, we had yet to call and setup a time to visit.
But, the other night I was out doing some running around and I was driving past their place, and I decide, on the spur of the moment, to stop and say, ‘Hi.’
Well, even though they were happy to see me, I was an Unexpected Guest. The wife said something like; “Oh, you should have called, I would have cleaned up the house a bit.”
The husband said something like; “Please excuse the mess, we worked all day.”
After they gave some more excuses about the cleanliness of their house, I finally said; “I didn’t come to see your house, I came here to see you. If I want to come and inspect your house, I will call and make an appointment.”
After a shaking start, I visited for about 45 minutes, we had tea and cookies, talked about a few things – and I left. I told them that I would be back, with my wife, Peggy, for a nice visit, and I assured them that I would call first.
Isn’t strange that we all seem to dislike an Guests, that just drop in, Unexpectedly. We feel we must have the house spick & span. All the laundry has to be folded and put away. All the dishes clean and placed, perfectly, into the cupboard. The floor must be clean enough to eat off of. The kids have to be wearing their Sunday best; their faces and hands all washed up and their hair neatly combed.
The bathroom is always a room that needs cleaning and adjusting; as you hide those things that might be embarrassing.
The kitchen has to be perfect as well; with something great, just cooked, to snack on. The ‘good’ China needs to be used, lots of cold stuff to drink, and a variety of hot beverages.
The entranceway has to be cleared of clutter, such as boots of shoes. There are also many things we remove from sight, because we don’t want the guests to get the wrong idea of who we are, or what kind of people we might be. We worry about what they will think of us, or the things they might say going out the driveway.
These are the things, we all might worry about when people come over; and it is multiplied by 1000, when we have Unexpected Guests.
But, what would you do, what would you think, what worries would you have if one, most, Unexpected Guest, arrived at your door? What would you do if Jesus came knocking?
In our scripture lesson today, we hear about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary; and even though He was an Unexpected Guest, this day, He was not a stranger to this house.
Let me set the scene…
After the Temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee to preach, teach and heal. During this period of time, He began gathering His group of disciples. Later, Jesus commissioned them and reveal to them, His true identity, as the Son of Man and the Son of God, and He also revealed to them His true mission; being the Perfect Lamb of God, the Holiest of all Sacrifices.
Jesus true mission, on this earth, would take Him to Jerusalem, where He would be rejected, tried and crucified. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him; He knew the great responsibility He had to face up to; and He knew he must die to save many others. The villages of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, were Jesus’ resting-places during His last days on earth.
After teaching throughout Galilee, He headed towards Jerusalem; and decided to visit His friends.
So, when Jesus arrived at the house of Martha and Mary - what was it He was looking for, and what was it that He needed? Think about it!
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die. His whole being was taken up with the intensity of the inner battle to bend His will, to change His own will, to alter and adjust His very own will, to that of God’s will – the will of God.
Jesus had journeyed from the Sea of Galilee, along the Jordan River, through the wilderness of Samaria, to the Mount of Olives, to a tiny village at Bethany; to the door of His friends.
But, what was He doing there?
(move to the resting place, on the stairs)
Jesus had come to Martha and Mary’s house; He wanted, what can be found in this Sanctuary, at anytime through the week. He wanted, what I find here, as I sit and listen, as I sit and listen. And, if you sit and listen, you, too, will hear it.
Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s house, and all He wanted was Quiet.
(back to pulpit)
When Jesus came to that home, it was a great day – a day to celebrate. And Martha was eager to celebrate and put on the best the house could offer; but all Jesus wanted was Quiet.
Martha went fretting and fussing; was worried and upset; over-occupied, distracted and troubled. Martha was preparing a big dinner, a feast, fit for a king; a celebration - a party. All Jesus wanted was Quiet.
A big fancy dinner and celebration was not what He sought. But as Martha rushed and fussed and cooked, Mary fell to Jesus feet, and listened.
In verse 38; With the cross before Him, and with the inner tension, deep in His heart, he had turned aside to Bethany, to find an oasis of calm, far from the demanding crowds – if only for an hour or two; and that was what Mary gave Him.
That was what Mary gave Him; a listening eye, a calmness around Him, she gave Him her attention, she gave Him the gift of quality time. Martha was running about, trying to make everything perfect, and never thought to address Him, make Him feel welcome, or listen to Him.
In verse 39, Martha noticed Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and then in verse 40; “Lord,” she said. “Do you not care that my sister has left me to get on with the work by myself? Tell her to come lend a hand.”
But the Lord rebuked her in verses 41-42, saying; “Martha, Martha, you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary. The part that Mary has chosen is best; and it shall not be taken from her.”
Jesus was saying two things.
First, he was saying that He didn’t need a big meal, He didn’t need a feast or a celebration. He was saying; “I don’t need a big spread; one course, the simplest meal will do.”
Martha was going way over-board on this meal; she was doing too much, having too much, worrying too – she though everything had to be perfect…when all Jesus wanted was a simple and ordinary meal. “…you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary…
The second thing, Jesus was saying, was that Mary had chosen to sit and listen, to talk to, to communicate with, Jesus. To be there for Him and to listen to what He had to say. Mary knew and understood that Jesus had so much to say, and so little time to say it.
Jesus was simply saying that listening to the Word of the Lord is of great importance; and anyone who takes the time to sit and listen – fill find what their looking for and will benefit from it greatly.
Martha and Mary both loved Jesus very much; and on this occasion both were serving Him. But, what Martha failed to understand was that in her hurriedness and her desire to serve Jesus, in the only way she knew – (through hospitality), she was actually neglecting her guest.
Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about such household cores. When He rebuke her, He was asking her to set priorities; for it is possible for our service to Christ to decay into mere busywork - that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
Service for Christ grows out of receiving the Word of Life from Christ. A life of effective service, is a life rooted in prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures. (x2)
Martha served Jesus with gusto, zeal, zest, enthusiasm and vigor - by preparing a grand meal, a celebration, a feast; but that was not what Jesus wanted – He wanted Quiet.
He wanted Martha to come and sit at His feet as well, so He could tell her (also) of the love of God and of salvation, and eternal life.
He wants you to come and sit at His feet as well, so He can tell you (also) of the love of God, and of salvation, and eternal life.
We cannot serve someone, when we do not know what they stand for. We can serve someone when we don’t know what they have promised, said or did. We can’t serve Christ, if we don’t know who God is, and why Jesus had to die.
And we can’t serve Christ, if Christ remains for us, an Unexpected Guest.
(insert Dianne McCullough – story)
Let Us Pray:
Brian Reid – July 8, 2007
The other night I decide to drop in on one of my neighbors up the street here. The husband and wife had told me numerous times to bring Peggy along and have a visit. These are new friends of ours and we are still getting to know them. Peggy and are a little slow at getting around to everyone, so even though we had had an invitation, we had yet to call and setup a time to visit.
But, the other night I was out doing some running around and I was driving past their place, and I decide, on the spur of the moment, to stop and say, ‘Hi.’
Well, even though they were happy to see me, I was an Unexpected Guest. The wife said something like; “Oh, you should have called, I would have cleaned up the house a bit.”
The husband said something like; “Please excuse the mess, we worked all day.”
After they gave some more excuses about the cleanliness of their house, I finally said; “I didn’t come to see your house, I came here to see you. If I want to come and inspect your house, I will call and make an appointment.”
After a shaking start, I visited for about 45 minutes, we had tea and cookies, talked about a few things – and I left. I told them that I would be back, with my wife, Peggy, for a nice visit, and I assured them that I would call first.
Isn’t strange that we all seem to dislike an Guests, that just drop in, Unexpectedly. We feel we must have the house spick & span. All the laundry has to be folded and put away. All the dishes clean and placed, perfectly, into the cupboard. The floor must be clean enough to eat off of. The kids have to be wearing their Sunday best; their faces and hands all washed up and their hair neatly combed.
The bathroom is always a room that needs cleaning and adjusting; as you hide those things that might be embarrassing.
The kitchen has to be perfect as well; with something great, just cooked, to snack on. The ‘good’ China needs to be used, lots of cold stuff to drink, and a variety of hot beverages.
The entranceway has to be cleared of clutter, such as boots of shoes. There are also many things we remove from sight, because we don’t want the guests to get the wrong idea of who we are, or what kind of people we might be. We worry about what they will think of us, or the things they might say going out the driveway.
These are the things, we all might worry about when people come over; and it is multiplied by 1000, when we have Unexpected Guests.
But, what would you do, what would you think, what worries would you have if one, most, Unexpected Guest, arrived at your door? What would you do if Jesus came knocking?
In our scripture lesson today, we hear about Jesus visiting Martha and Mary; and even though He was an Unexpected Guest, this day, He was not a stranger to this house.
Let me set the scene…
After the Temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee to preach, teach and heal. During this period of time, He began gathering His group of disciples. Later, Jesus commissioned them and reveal to them, His true identity, as the Son of Man and the Son of God, and He also revealed to them His true mission; being the Perfect Lamb of God, the Holiest of all Sacrifices.
Jesus true mission, on this earth, would take Him to Jerusalem, where He would be rejected, tried and crucified. Jesus knew what lay ahead of Him; He knew the great responsibility He had to face up to; and He knew he must die to save many others. The villages of Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, were Jesus’ resting-places during His last days on earth.
After teaching throughout Galilee, He headed towards Jerusalem; and decided to visit His friends.
So, when Jesus arrived at the house of Martha and Mary - what was it He was looking for, and what was it that He needed? Think about it!
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem to die. His whole being was taken up with the intensity of the inner battle to bend His will, to change His own will, to alter and adjust His very own will, to that of God’s will – the will of God.
Jesus had journeyed from the Sea of Galilee, along the Jordan River, through the wilderness of Samaria, to the Mount of Olives, to a tiny village at Bethany; to the door of His friends.
But, what was He doing there?
(move to the resting place, on the stairs)
Jesus had come to Martha and Mary’s house; He wanted, what can be found in this Sanctuary, at anytime through the week. He wanted, what I find here, as I sit and listen, as I sit and listen. And, if you sit and listen, you, too, will hear it.
Jesus came to Martha and Mary’s house, and all He wanted was Quiet.
(back to pulpit)
When Jesus came to that home, it was a great day – a day to celebrate. And Martha was eager to celebrate and put on the best the house could offer; but all Jesus wanted was Quiet.
Martha went fretting and fussing; was worried and upset; over-occupied, distracted and troubled. Martha was preparing a big dinner, a feast, fit for a king; a celebration - a party. All Jesus wanted was Quiet.
A big fancy dinner and celebration was not what He sought. But as Martha rushed and fussed and cooked, Mary fell to Jesus feet, and listened.
In verse 38; With the cross before Him, and with the inner tension, deep in His heart, he had turned aside to Bethany, to find an oasis of calm, far from the demanding crowds – if only for an hour or two; and that was what Mary gave Him.
That was what Mary gave Him; a listening eye, a calmness around Him, she gave Him her attention, she gave Him the gift of quality time. Martha was running about, trying to make everything perfect, and never thought to address Him, make Him feel welcome, or listen to Him.
In verse 39, Martha noticed Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and then in verse 40; “Lord,” she said. “Do you not care that my sister has left me to get on with the work by myself? Tell her to come lend a hand.”
But the Lord rebuked her in verses 41-42, saying; “Martha, Martha, you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary. The part that Mary has chosen is best; and it shall not be taken from her.”
Jesus was saying two things.
First, he was saying that He didn’t need a big meal, He didn’t need a feast or a celebration. He was saying; “I don’t need a big spread; one course, the simplest meal will do.”
Martha was going way over-board on this meal; she was doing too much, having too much, worrying too – she though everything had to be perfect…when all Jesus wanted was a simple and ordinary meal. “…you are fretting and fussing about so many things; but one thing is necessary…
The second thing, Jesus was saying, was that Mary had chosen to sit and listen, to talk to, to communicate with, Jesus. To be there for Him and to listen to what He had to say. Mary knew and understood that Jesus had so much to say, and so little time to say it.
Jesus was simply saying that listening to the Word of the Lord is of great importance; and anyone who takes the time to sit and listen – fill find what their looking for and will benefit from it greatly.
Martha and Mary both loved Jesus very much; and on this occasion both were serving Him. But, what Martha failed to understand was that in her hurriedness and her desire to serve Jesus, in the only way she knew – (through hospitality), she was actually neglecting her guest.
Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about such household cores. When He rebuke her, He was asking her to set priorities; for it is possible for our service to Christ to decay into mere busywork - that is totally devoid of devotion to God.
Service for Christ grows out of receiving the Word of Life from Christ. A life of effective service, is a life rooted in prayer, worship, and study of the scriptures. (x2)
Martha served Jesus with gusto, zeal, zest, enthusiasm and vigor - by preparing a grand meal, a celebration, a feast; but that was not what Jesus wanted – He wanted Quiet.
He wanted Martha to come and sit at His feet as well, so He could tell her (also) of the love of God and of salvation, and eternal life.
He wants you to come and sit at His feet as well, so He can tell you (also) of the love of God, and of salvation, and eternal life.
We cannot serve someone, when we do not know what they stand for. We can serve someone when we don’t know what they have promised, said or did. We can’t serve Christ, if we don’t know who God is, and why Jesus had to die.
And we can’t serve Christ, if Christ remains for us, an Unexpected Guest.
(insert Dianne McCullough – story)
Let Us Pray:
“Denied, Denied, Enter”
“Denied, Denied, Enter”
by Brian Reid
July 2007
Today, we will be looking at Matthew 20:1-16, with a focus on verse 16, and asking ourselves some important questions”
Why are some last, and some first?
What does it mean to be last?
What is It, that we are standing in line for, anyway?
It kind of interesting to know that this passage;
“And so it is that many who are first now, will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then,” appears in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30.
I feel, that even though Matthew, Mark and Luke do have some cross-over and repeats, that this passage, none-the-less, must be of importance, to have-mention in all three books.
So what is all this double talk about, anyway?
In Matthew 20:1-16, the passage is in connection with the parable, told by Jesus, of the Vineyard Workers. The vineyard owner went out one morning to hire some workers. He found some workers, early in the morning and agreed to pay them a normal day’s pay.
Later in the morning he found some more workers; telling them he would pay them what was right at the end of the day. At noon, he found others, at 3:00, he found others, and at 5:00, he found even more workers.
That evening, when the day’s work was done, the owner told his foreman to send in the workers for their pay; starting, first, with the workers he had hire, last. Those who were hired last, at 5:00, they were paid a full day’s wage.
When those hired earlier in the day came to receive their wages, they expected more than those workers who were hired at 5:00, but, they too were paid a full day’s wage – and not a penny more. They protested. “Why were those other workers, who labored less than we have, paid just as much? Shouldn’t we receive more?”
The vineyard owner said, “Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or, are you envious because I am generous?”
“So the last will be first and the first will be last.”
In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich, young man. Here we are getting closer to the meaning of our intended passage.
A man, young in years, ran up to Jesus while he was traveling in and around Judea. The man fell to his knees; “Good Teacher,” He asked. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus told him he must follow the 10 Commandments. The young man declared he had kept them since he was a boy.
Then Jesus responded;
“One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.”
This was too much for the young man to understand or accept, and the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad. Then Jesus addressed His disciples; “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
The disciples were amazed at this and asked each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible with God!”
“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a 100 times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”
“But, many who are first, will be last, and the last, first.”
In Luke 13:22-30, we read the story of the Narrow Door.
As Jesus traveled through the towns and villages of Judea, heading towards Jerusalem, someone asked; “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
The Lord replied, “Make every effort to enter through the Narrow Door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Jesus further explains that many will come knocking; from the east and the west and the north and the south. There will weeping in the streets and gnashing of teeth; but some will not be able to enter – because of the life they have lead.
Finding salvation requires more deliberate and focused effort, than most people are willing to give. Even though salvation is not earned, and we are not saved by our good deeds, but we must work hard to get in through the narrow door; because our actions do have an impact on our final judgment.
By honestly desiring to know Jesus and deliberately, and diligently, striving to follow Him, whatever the cost, we can pass through the narrow door. Sometimes that cost is too great; those people, will find the door of salvation closed.
We may expect to be invited into the Kingdom of God and we may expect to see certain people there, but claiming an allegiance to Jesus and putting that effort forward, are often too very different things.
Jesus explains that many people know something about God, but only a few have acknowledged their sins and accepted His forgiveness. Just reading the Bible, listening hymns or admiring the many miracles of Christ, is not enough; for we must turn from sin and trust in God to save us.
So, who will be denied and who will enter in?
There will be many surprises in the Kingdom of God. Some who are despised now, will be greatly honored then. Those who’s lives seem un-important to most, those who live on the fringes of society, those who are meek – shall inherit the earth – and have a place in God’s Kingdom.
Some influential people here, now, will be left outside the gates. Those people whose lives seem so important now, whose lives are admired and sought after, whose lives seem to hold much promise, will be utterly overlooked.
Many ‘great’ people on this earth, in God’s eyes, are virtually ignored by the rest of today’s society. For, what matter most to God, is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage, or power, but his or her commitment to Christ.
The Kingdom of God consists of eternal life, happiness and peace. Our love of earthly wealth and processions, and pride of accomplishment and self-effort are what keeps us from passing through the Narrow Door.
Jesus reassures us, that if we give up something valuable for His sake, then we will be repaid 100 times over, in this life; just not necessarily the same way. Jesus explained, that in the world to come, the valves of this world, will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance, here, will have none in heaven. Those who are humble, here, will be great in heaven.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
In God’s Kingdom, service to others, shows true love of people. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are simple; entrance is by God’s grace alone.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
God’s grace can be found in those who give up everything to follow Him. It can be seen in the service we give to others. God’s grace is found in His servants.
Jesus is the example we should follow. He came as a servant. He came as a suffering servant. Jesus simply came to serve us. As a servant, He was a savior. And as a savior, He died a servant.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
Communion…is a thankful remembrance of Christ, His love, and His sacrificial death upon the cross.
by Brian Reid
July 2007
Today, we will be looking at Matthew 20:1-16, with a focus on verse 16, and asking ourselves some important questions”
Why are some last, and some first?
What does it mean to be last?
What is It, that we are standing in line for, anyway?
It kind of interesting to know that this passage;
“And so it is that many who are first now, will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then,” appears in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31 and Luke 13:30.
I feel, that even though Matthew, Mark and Luke do have some cross-over and repeats, that this passage, none-the-less, must be of importance, to have-mention in all three books.
So what is all this double talk about, anyway?
In Matthew 20:1-16, the passage is in connection with the parable, told by Jesus, of the Vineyard Workers. The vineyard owner went out one morning to hire some workers. He found some workers, early in the morning and agreed to pay them a normal day’s pay.
Later in the morning he found some more workers; telling them he would pay them what was right at the end of the day. At noon, he found others, at 3:00, he found others, and at 5:00, he found even more workers.
That evening, when the day’s work was done, the owner told his foreman to send in the workers for their pay; starting, first, with the workers he had hire, last. Those who were hired last, at 5:00, they were paid a full day’s wage.
When those hired earlier in the day came to receive their wages, they expected more than those workers who were hired at 5:00, but, they too were paid a full day’s wage – and not a penny more. They protested. “Why were those other workers, who labored less than we have, paid just as much? Shouldn’t we receive more?”
The vineyard owner said, “Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or, are you envious because I am generous?”
“So the last will be first and the first will be last.”
In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich, young man. Here we are getting closer to the meaning of our intended passage.
A man, young in years, ran up to Jesus while he was traveling in and around Judea. The man fell to his knees; “Good Teacher,” He asked. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus told him he must follow the 10 Commandments. The young man declared he had kept them since he was a boy.
Then Jesus responded;
“One thing you lack. Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.”
This was too much for the young man to understand or accept, and the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad. Then Jesus addressed His disciples; “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
The disciples were amazed at this and asked each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God; all things are possible with God!”
“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a 100 times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”
“But, many who are first, will be last, and the last, first.”
In Luke 13:22-30, we read the story of the Narrow Door.
As Jesus traveled through the towns and villages of Judea, heading towards Jerusalem, someone asked; “Lord, will only a few be saved?”
The Lord replied, “Make every effort to enter through the Narrow Door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But He will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
Jesus further explains that many will come knocking; from the east and the west and the north and the south. There will weeping in the streets and gnashing of teeth; but some will not be able to enter – because of the life they have lead.
Finding salvation requires more deliberate and focused effort, than most people are willing to give. Even though salvation is not earned, and we are not saved by our good deeds, but we must work hard to get in through the narrow door; because our actions do have an impact on our final judgment.
By honestly desiring to know Jesus and deliberately, and diligently, striving to follow Him, whatever the cost, we can pass through the narrow door. Sometimes that cost is too great; those people, will find the door of salvation closed.
We may expect to be invited into the Kingdom of God and we may expect to see certain people there, but claiming an allegiance to Jesus and putting that effort forward, are often too very different things.
Jesus explains that many people know something about God, but only a few have acknowledged their sins and accepted His forgiveness. Just reading the Bible, listening hymns or admiring the many miracles of Christ, is not enough; for we must turn from sin and trust in God to save us.
So, who will be denied and who will enter in?
There will be many surprises in the Kingdom of God. Some who are despised now, will be greatly honored then. Those who’s lives seem un-important to most, those who live on the fringes of society, those who are meek – shall inherit the earth – and have a place in God’s Kingdom.
Some influential people here, now, will be left outside the gates. Those people whose lives seem so important now, whose lives are admired and sought after, whose lives seem to hold much promise, will be utterly overlooked.
Many ‘great’ people on this earth, in God’s eyes, are virtually ignored by the rest of today’s society. For, what matter most to God, is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage, or power, but his or her commitment to Christ.
The Kingdom of God consists of eternal life, happiness and peace. Our love of earthly wealth and processions, and pride of accomplishment and self-effort are what keeps us from passing through the Narrow Door.
Jesus reassures us, that if we give up something valuable for His sake, then we will be repaid 100 times over, in this life; just not necessarily the same way. Jesus explained, that in the world to come, the valves of this world, will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance, here, will have none in heaven. Those who are humble, here, will be great in heaven.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
In God’s Kingdom, service to others, shows true love of people. The membership rules of the Kingdom of Heaven are simple; entrance is by God’s grace alone.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
God’s grace can be found in those who give up everything to follow Him. It can be seen in the service we give to others. God’s grace is found in His servants.
Jesus is the example we should follow. He came as a servant. He came as a suffering servant. Jesus simply came to serve us. As a servant, He was a savior. And as a savior, He died a servant.
“Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; and some who are greatly honored now, will be despised then.”
Communion…is a thankful remembrance of Christ, His love, and His sacrificial death upon the cross.
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