“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.