The Last

Prelude, Purpose, Plan

What kind of life do we lead when we put ourselves first, and others last? What kind of world encourages us to tread all over others and always be first? What would Jesus say about the first and last in society?

Let’s examine the incredible blessing of following Jesus to a life of taking last place so that we can serve others.

Let’s look at Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the workers in the vineyard and its implications for today.

Matthew 20:1 Wine Industry Parable

Did Jesus promote the wine industry? In Matthew 20:1 Jesus said, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.” In an age when refrigeration and pasteurization were unknown, grape juice was commonly preserved as wine. Some try to be more righteous than Jesus. But, the Gospel writers openly wrote about Jesus and wine. Grace is risky. Pharisaic rules remove risk, but also grace. Someone might get drunk, yet Jesus turned water into wine, drank with sinners and used wine as one of the elements of the Lord’s Supper. He even used the grape harvest in parables.

Matthew 20:8 Where Latecomers are First

Why were the latecomers in the parable of the vineyard workers put first? In Matthew 20:8 Jesus spoke of the end of a harvest day, “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’” Let’s understand the context. Jesus’ disciples quarreled openly for position. They spurned widows and children who attempted to talk to Jesus. This attitude is not tolerated in God’s kingdom. Those who arrogantly puff themselves up, and look down on others will be last in heaven. The last were put first so the first could learn something.

Matthew 20:9-10 Fair Wages

Are older Christians or older churches more entitled? The parable of the vineyard workers teaches us about this common attitude. In Matthew 20:9-10 we read, “when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.” How long we have served God does not give us greater entitlements. In heaven there is a Great Reversal. The first will be last and the last first. Let’s not allow position or tenure to delude us into thinking we are better than anyone. They may be our boss in heaven.

Matthew 20:12 Entitlement versus Need

Could the Old Testament law of redistribution, the Jubilee, work today? The super-wealthy would certainly complain. In Matthew 20:12 in the parable of the vineyard workers, the all-day workers complained about equal pay, “you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.” This is a parable of entitlement versus need. Are wealthy people entitled to grossly excessive salaries which they the have power to get but perhaps not the need? Jesus’ subversive parable teaches that the kingdom of heaven is not based upon entitlement, but need. None of us is entitled to heaven, yet we all have need of life after death.

Matthew 20:15 God is Generous

Why did a vintner in Jesus’ parables hire harvesters several times during the day? The only indication why is he saw people who needed work. The farmer paid workers the same whether working all day or only the last hour. He explained in Matthew 20:15, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” God provides generously for the most needy. Jewish Christians are the same as Gentiles, and the most ancient churches are the same as the newest. “The parable is thus about the goodness... the mercy... of God... The Good (or Generous) Employer.”

Ref: Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33B: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 14-28. Word Biblical Commentary (572). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Matthew 20:15 The Evil Eye

What is an evil eye? In Matthew 20:15 Jesus asked, “is your eye evil because I am good?” Friberg explains that an evil eye is an attitude of envy, greed or stinginess. When we want first place or all the best just for ourselves, that is an evil eye. When we believe that others are undeserving of positions because they have not been around as long as we, that is an evil eye. In the kingdom of heaven the first will be last and the last will be first. Human perceptions of what we deserve are not heaven’s. Jesus set the example. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and put ourselves last.

Ref: Friberg, Friberg, Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 2000.

Matthew 20:16 Lasts who Already are Firsts

Why did Jesus say in Matthew 20:16 that in the kingdom of heaven, “the last will be first, and the first last”? Many so-called little people are big in heaven’s eyes. Why is the janitor the happiest person in the building? Why is the widow the one with the most encouraging word? Why is the wisdom of an old man in a nursing home the greatest thing you have heard all week? Why does the poor farmer out working in his field sing so loudly? Why does the blue collar worker live longer and have a happier marriage than the billionaire? These are great secrets of the kingdom of heaven.

Postlude

This world is upside down. The arrogant, the narcissistic, the greedy who have chosen first place in this life, have chosen the last place in heaven. The selfless, the generous, the serving who often choose last place in this life, are rewarded with first place in heaven. The Great Reversal is coming. Where will we be?

Ref: Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33B: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 14-28. Word Biblical Commentary (572). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Ref: Friberg, Friberg, Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 2000.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Matthew 20:1-16

Forgiveness

Intro, Purpose, Plan

How often should we forgive? How much forgiveness do we need? What does it mean to forgive from the heart?

Let’s explore the difficulty and necessity of compassion and mercy, forgiveness from the heart.

We will look at Matthew 18:21-35 and what Jesus taught about forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21 Is Forgiveness Limited

How often must we forgive people? Are we expected to be gullible victims? Jesus taught about forgiveness, but how often must we be abused and bruised by others and still forgive? That is essentially Peter's question in Matthew 18:21, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Ancient Jewish teaching could have suggested with forgiveness, 3 strikes and you're out. So, Peter's suggestion of 7 times, may have seemed quite generous to him. A question in response to Peter might be, how often ought we imitate God's forgiveness? If the answer is only 7 times, then we are all in trouble.

Matthew 18:22 Forgiveness without Count

What’s Jesus’ answer to how often we must forgive? In Matthew 18:22 Peter was given an answer. “Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Forgiveness often accompanies deep personal pain, but we can’t change the past. It’s a choice, despite pain and despite lack of trust. Holding grudges hurts us deep in our souls. Forgiving blesses us forever. Jesus' answer, 70x7, means hyperbolically don’t keep count of how many times we forgive. If we track the number of times we gave someone forgiveness, then perhaps we have not really forgiven at all. True forgiveness sets no limits.

Matthew 18:23-34 The Unforgiving Servant

What does the parable of the unforgiving servant teach us? A king’s servant borrowed a huge fortune (Matthew 18:23-34) and lost it all placing his whole family in slavery to debt. He asked for debt forgiveness. The king had compassion and forgave the astronomical debt. That servant then violently confronted a fellow servant, who owed him a very small amount, and had him thrown into prison. The king was angry at this lack of compassion. The king jailed his unforgiving servant and let him be tortured. This parable informs us how important compassion and mercy are to God. He demands that we, the forgiven, must also compassionately and mercifully forgive.

Matthew 18:35 The Gift of Forgiveness

What if we refuse to forgive? God doesn’t give us that option. In Matthew 18:35 Jesus says, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” Peter wanted a mathematical count for forgiveness, like seven times and then no more forgiveness. With hyperbolic language, 70x7, Jesus taught that compassion and mercy must last a long, long time from the heart. There is no room for lack of mercy. We confess our sins, remembering the great debt we owe God, and forgive those who trespass against us. Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.

Forgiving Churches are Healing Places

Are some people loners because they are deeply hurt and haven’t learned forgiveness? A healthy local church is the ideal place to heal and learn to love. Forgiveness does not mean trust. It is foolish to trust any human being, even ourselves (Psalms 118:8; Micah 7:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Psalms 118:9; Psalms 118:8-9). We must learn to trust the only One who is completely trustworthy, God. What we need to learn in church life is forgiveness. How wonderful it is when we are among a group of Christians where there is forgiveness. Human trustworthiness is an unrealistic expectation. Alone we don’t learn forgiveness. Forgiving churches are wonderful.

The Rare Gift of Forgiveness

What is a rare gift that we give others and ourselves? It’s the gift of forgiveness. It is hard to find this gift. Most people hold unhealthy grudges and refuse to let them go. We preserve resentment like a precious treasure. It’s not a treasure. It’s a stinking carcass that we safeguard and bow down to and kiss as we remember the past. It’s our egos and hurt feelings, and we refuse to let go of them. Instead of forgiving and getting over it, we imprison ourselves in bitterness and inward anger. Jesus said to forgive from the heart, because only by doing so will our hearts experience freedom and healing.

The Christian Difference

Why is Christianity different to any other religion? We don’t need endless reincarnations, never attaining sinless perfection, working to reach nirvana. We believe in forgiveness, not to avoid forgiveness or to kill and terrorize. Christian history repeatedly fails this ideal, but no other religion offers a free pardon for our sins. We don’t earn our way into God’s favor. Forgiveness is completely undeserved, given to those who ask and are learning to forgive. We are not Christians because we are perfect like Christ. We are Christians because we participate in God’s kingdom of forgiveness and we are learning to be like Jesus and forgiving from the heart because we are forgiven.

Outro

How often should we forgive? There is no small number. How much forgiveness do we need? Let’s count our sins, confess them to God, be grateful for his forgiveness and forgive others. What does it mean to forgive from the heart? It means that we sincerely forgive. Compassion and mercy are not the values of so-called snowflakes or libtards, but of strong people who can forgive even the deepest hurts, because God forgave us.

Matthew 18:21-35; Psalms 118:8; Micah 7:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Psalms 118:9; Psalms 118:8-9

Great Personal Offenses

Prelude, Purpose, Plan

In every church in Christendom, we will eventually be confronted with some great personal offenses. How can we better deal with major conflict? Is conflict resolution always possible or even realistic? What can we do when our grievances are ignored? Why is conflict a part of life? Let’s look at Matthew 18:15-20 and learn some broad principles of working through great personal offenses.

The Setting of Matthew 18:15-20

Let’s remember that the setting in Matthew 18:15-20 is a time when the disciples were the Church. After the resurrection, the house church became the norm. Megachurches, such as the assembly on Pentecost, were and still are rare exceptions. So, taking most disputes to the whole church is not literally possible in larger assemblies, but the spirit of these instructions is applicable in many wonderful ways. Conflict will always be part of church life, as long as sin exists. Sometimes we can resolve things easily and sometimes we must separate for a time, like Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:36-39) or the universal Church and our schisms through Christian history.

Matthew 18:15 Great Personal Offense

Literal

In Matthew 18:15 Jesus taught, “if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” The wording is softened in most English translations. The sense in the original language is much stronger, such as to “convict him of his fault.”1 Today we might say if you’ve got to berate someone, do so privately rather than castigate them in public. It’s the kind of thing we might try to do behind closed doors. It’s not talking about everyday personality conflicts. In those cases we bear with one another (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:2). In this case the offense is personal and major.

1 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

Spiritual

Most of the time we forbear one another’s weaknesses. It’s no use creating an argument over every minor infraction. Some churches may have such an intolerably authoritarian atmosphere of fear, but that’s not how knowledgeable Bible students know church should be. Forgiveness and forbearance of each other’s faults makes a church more joyful. But does that mean that we should never say anything? There is a legitimate time to speak and Jesus seems to indicate that when a sin is directed at us, personally, then we may cautiously act. In fact, Jesus recommends going to our brother alone over a personal offense. “If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

Matthew 18:16 Escalation

Literal

In Matthew 18:16 we read that after talking to someone privately about a personal offense, “if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” The principle of two or three witnesses is Jesus’ recognition a legal obligation in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15). This step escalates the situation way beyond a simple personal offense. The purpose of these extra friends or perhaps even people familiar with the situation is probably to convince a person of their fault, and even to witness their response of willingness or unwillingness to change.

Spiritual

What kinds of offenses deserve to be taken to the next level? Personal offenses may range from a simple misunderstanding to gross sins like being swindled or defamation of character. When Jesus said, “if he will not hear, take with you one or two more”, that is not encouragement to escalate every single dispute. This is a principle, not something to apply literally every single time someone disagrees with us. Mostly, we simply forgive and forget when our friends cannot understand what they have done. The offense is not worth taking any further. Most often we decide to agree to disagree and part as friends. We only escalate really bad situations.

Matthew 18:17 Tell it to the Church

Literal

Jesus explained the ultimate escalation of a dispute between two church members. This is the final stage of a three stage process in major disputes. 1) Go to them alone. 2) Take two or three witnesses. 3) “if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” So, we take the dispute to the community of believers. Here, there is yet no concept of individual congregations, nor a hierarchy of church elders. There is only a diverse group of disciples, a few, a dozen, a hundred, and rarely thousands.

Spiritual

What disputes would we call a church assembly to decide? What offenses would we escalate up through church hierarchy? Jesus concludes teaching about conflicts in Matthew 18:17 that “if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” What does that mean? Does it mean excommunication in some cases? Does it mean that we simply continue to welcome someone, while praying for the day that they repent? Does it mean a public realization that their conversion is perhaps not a reality? Should we shun such people or simply treat them as kindly as we do all our other non-Christian neighbors?

Matthew 18:18 Church Decisions

Literal

In Matthew 18:18 we read, “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven [Footnote: will have been bound ... will have been loosed]”. In the context of handling disputes, this expands the promise given Peter (Matthew 16:19) to all the Apostles and by extension to the whole Christian community. The church community’s decision to excommunicate, absolve of guilt or simply forbear are inspired by heaven. The antecedent to this are the Poskim of Jewish tradition whose “binding and loosing” was Halakhah (written and oral law). Jesus often criticized their traditions. What Christian traditions are inspired by heaven?

Spiritual

Does Jesus’ statement to the Apostles in Matthew 18:18, “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven...” mean that all formal or ex-cathedra dogmas are infallible? The Christian community is in remarkable consensus on Jesus’ teachings, but not in everything. Jesus’ instruction was in the context of dealing with serious personal offenses. When do offenses require a decision by the broader church? What issues are personally offensive to you? Are we quiet for the sake of peace or is our cause too important for peace? Each of us must pick our battles carefully. Should we also listen more carefully when the broader Christian community agrees on a matter?

Matthew 18:19-20 Two or Three

Literal

In Matthew 18:19-20 Jesus said that, “if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” He also added that, “where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Does that mean that God is obligated to answer a prayer agreed to by at least two Christians? What if we have two Catholics, two Orthodox and two Protestants praying contradictory prayers? What does the context of Jesus’ remarks tell us? It’s talking about solving offenses in the church, and God’s blessing on the witnesses in such a dispute.

Spiritual

Matthew 18:19-20 is often misused to support exaggerated views of spiritual warfare, group prayer, or husbands and wives praying together. The difference between a mature and immature Christian church is not an absence of conflict, but how it is handled. Jesus gives us three broad principles of conflict resolution. Coupled with prayer for wisdom from heaven this can go along way to working through some very sticky interpersonal situations. It may not be a successful formula in situations outside the church, where prayer may not be a factor. However, among brothers and sisters who are anxious to live together in harmony, it can be very helpful in solving many conflicts.

Postlude

The spirit of these verses can apply to a wide variety of conflicts, from a simple personal offense to ecclesiastical decisions affecting the whole church. Not every private confrontation will produce a happy ending and not every ecclesiastical decision will have universal acceptance. However, we are called to live in peace with one another. Sometimes like Barnabas and Paul, like Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants, the reality is that we will separate for a time. But, our goal of eventual reconciliation remains.

Matthew 18:15-20; Acts 15:36-39; Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:2; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 16:19

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In Exchange for Your Soul

Prelude, Purpose, Plan

Have you ever suffered for doing good? Have you ever wondered if it was all worth it? Why do those who do evil seem to prosper? Is there any justice? Is evil really punished and good rewarded?

Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil.

Let’s discuss the value of the cross, losing ourselves to gain ourselves and living a holy life all from Matthew 16:21-28.

Matthew 16:21 The Cross Transcends Human Traditions

In Matthew 16:21 we read that, “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer.” Jewish Messiahs were traditionally conquering military heroes who saved Israel from enemies. Jesus went totally against that, prophesying his crucifixion. To Peter it seemed to be admitting defeat. Peter’s immediate response was to reprimand Jesus. A Messiah was supposed to conquer, to say take up your sword and follow me, not your cross. The Church of Jesus Christ needs ongoing reformation. We constantly need to pray for and follow His direction not lean on our human traditions. In Jesus, loss is gain, defeat is victory. The cross transcends tradition.

Matthew 16:22-23 Get Behind me Satan

We naturally want to protect others from possible suffering. Like Peter said to Jesus, do we also say, “No way”? Jesus’ reaction was blunt, “Get behind me Satan!” Have we tried to discourage children from what we imagined to be a poor career choice, when maybe it was their life’s calling, their purpose for being. It is an evil and diabolical thing to make a young person unhappy for life, merely for the sake of family expectations. We don’t want others to suffer, and so we tend to want to baby them. Yet, such good intentions may actually do more harm than good. Like Peter, we may be benefiting the devil.

Matthew 16:23 Opposing or Following Jesus

When Peter rebuked Jesus’ regarding his prophecy of his crucifixion, Jesus rebuked him saying, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Satan means “adversary.” Peter was opposed to Jesus’ plans. The word for “behind” is translated in the next verse as “follow” me. Jesus wanted Peter to quit being an adversary and get behind him and follow him. When we try to take the lead from Jesus, we are adversaries. When we create church rules in opposition to Jesus, we are adversaries. When we try to be more righteous than Jesus we are in opposition to him. In this story Jesus is also saying to us, “Back me up, you who are in opposition.”

Matthew 16:23 From Rock to Stumbling Stone

In Matthew 16:23 Jesus told Peter, “you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Peter went from rock of the Rock to rock of stumbling very quickly indeed. He also did worse, denying Jesus. We all experience ups and downs in our faith journey. There are times when we look at events around us and cry out, “Lord; this shall not happen!” Being crucified, at least figuratively, is something that Christians will experience. Are we too tempted to lose faith or cry out to heaven in objection? Let’s not stumble but remember that carrying our own cross of crucifixion is part of the journey.

Matthew 16:24 Confession without the Cross

In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Peter had confessed Christ. His acknowledgment made him a rock of the Rock, and he received the keys to the kingdom of heaven. But his public confession was not enough. Like us, he was to carry his cross. Altar calls are a public confession of Christ, popularized by Charles Finney in the 19th century. They are not always successful for this same reason. After confession of Jesus Christ is living a Christian life which includes, repentance of sin, baptism and carrying our cross and following Him.

Matthew 16:25 Lose Life to Save It

In Matthew 16:25 Jesus made the strange-sounding statement that “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” It is counter-intuitive to our natural instincts. We do a lot to preserve our lives. How can Jesus ask us to give up our lives for his sake? Each of us actually has two lives and this riddle speaks of both. Jesus asks us to willingly lose this temporal life. In so doing we gain eternal life. He did not ask us to commit suicide, but give up our self-centered ways, take up our crosses of self-sacrifice and follow him.

Matthew 16:25-26 Losing & Gaining Our Souls

In Matthew 16:26 Jesus asks, “what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In plain English, what are our lives worth? The Greek word translated as soul or life is the same word, meaning breath. It is used metaphorically for our life, everything that makes us ourselves. It’s a great paradox. Selfishness is a losing life. Giving of ourselves for Christ, we find true life. What good is it if we selfishly gain the whole world, when in so doing we lose ourselves? God values our worth by the death of His Son. True life is found not in narcissistic selfishness but in sharing with God and our neighbors.

Matthew 16:27 Living a Holy Life

Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox broadly agree on salvation. In the Bible, saving faith is evidenced by the fruit of good works (James 2:14-26; Matthew 3:10; 7:19; Matthew 21:43; Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 2:10). We can’t actually separate faith and works. Jesus said in Matthew 16:27 that God, “will reward each person according to what they have done.” We can’t take the free gift of salvation and do nothing with it. Salvation “by faith alone, but not a faith that is alone” is a convoluted way to avoid saying that Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants actually agree, that an evidence of salvation is in doing good works.

Postlude

For those who have suffered for doing good, payday will come. We will be rewarded far above whatever we have suffered. Because of faith we receive the free gift of eternal life. That is evidenced by what we do, and every good deed has a reward that will last for eternity.

Matthew 16:21-28; James 2:14-26; Matthew 3:10; 7:19; Matthew 21:43; Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 2:10