Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Today’s chapter in Matthew begins with a story that highlights Jesus’ statement that “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Yesterday we read that Jesus often turned the world’s values upside down. The story of the workers in the vineyard compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a master of a house. The master needed workers in his vineyard. He found laborers and agreed to pay them one denarius for the day. As the day went on, the master looked to hire more workers at the third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour, and eleventh hour. That evening the laborers were called to receive their payment. The master ordered that the last worker hired was to be the first one paid. As you can imagine, this didn’t sit well with the workers who had been there all day sweating for this master. Not only that, the laborer who worked only a few hours received the same one denarius payment as the laborers who had been working since the start of the day. The first workers expected more. When they approached the master about it, the master reminded them that he was doing them no wrong because the one denarius was the payment they had agreed to. The master had control over who he hired, what amount he paid, and who he paid first. The master was both fair and generous. Sound like someone else you might know?

Let’s examine this parable for a moment to see how this is an illustration of the Kingdom of God. God is the Master of the house, the Kingdom of Heaven. He needs laborers to work in His fields. We, as believers, are His workers. When we first believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and accept His saving grace, we become aware that our treasure (payment) is salvation and eternal life in God’s Kingdom. We may have begun our work decades ago or just yesterday. No matter how long we have been followers of Jesus our treasure (payment) is still the same. God’s generosity is on full display. He wants laborers/followers to go into all parts of the world serving and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. The criminal who repented as he was dying (Luke 23:40-43) will be in God’s Kingdom along with people who have believed and served God for many years. We shouldn’t resent His gracious acceptance of the outcasts and sinners who have turned to Him for forgiveness. So let’s be people who express our gratitude to the Master of the House for all lives saved by the blood of Jesus.

In verses 17-19, Jesus predicts His death and resurrection for the third time in these past five chapters of Matthew. He is specifically preparing the disciples for what is to come. Jesus is persistent. His followers and friends still do not fully understand even as they are entering Jerusalem.

Also, we find the disciples in disagreement again. Jesus reminds them that “whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Throughout this week together we have seen Jesus performing miracles, teaching Kingdom lessons, giving warnings, and shining His light on how people should live in order to have eternal life. Our God wants a close relationship with us. He wants us to pursue Him first and be willing to enter Heaven last. Remember, it’s a matter of our hearts. Does yours beat for Him? His, most definitely, beats for you.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection: 

• What keyword or phrase grabbed your attention from this chapter? Pray and ask God how He wants to use that word or phrase in your life today.
  
• Start a conversation about God’s Upside Down Kingdom with someone this week. Share your thoughts about the first becoming the last, the most becoming the least, the meek inheriting the earth. Dive into God’s Word to find more powerful examples.
  
• Prayer: Abba Father, we thank You for every story, every lesson, and every moment You have poured into us. You never leave us wandering. You have left us a blueprint through Your Word that guides our hearts closer to Yours. May we trust You with our whole lives. After all, our very lives were formed in Your Hands. Please increase our desire to live in an upside-down way that makes others take notice so that we can point them to You. In the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen.