Lesson 5169

 (Lesson 5169)(03-30-26) Matthew 20:20-23 

   “Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy ( kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” 

 

     In today’s quote, the request for her sons to be seated next to Jesus in his kingdom was initiated by the mother of James and John. She specifically requested that they be granted the seats of honor, one on Jesus’ right hand and the other on his left, when He established His kingdom. Her request reflected a traditional understanding of a messianic kingdom defined by political power and hierarchical status. Jesus responded by immediately redirecting their focus from the glory of the throne to the necessity of the ordeal. He asked the brothers if they were able to drink of the cup He would be made to drink of and be "baptized with the baptism" that he was to be baptized with. By using the term baptism in that context, Jesus was not talking about the religious ritual of washing in water, He was using the literal intent of the word ‘baptized’ (Which means to permanently immerse or implant). Jesus was referring to the overwhelming "cup" of God’s judgment and the "immersion" into the agony of the crucifixion. When the brothers, James and John, confidently claimed they were able, Jesus confirmed that they would indeed share in His, soon to come, sacrificial experience. Jesus signified that following Him involves a of high degree of suffering and a life permanently altered by persecution. Jesus also clarified that the specific seating assignments in the kingdom are not His to give, but are reserved by the Father. ~ 

Lesson 5168

 (Lesson 5168)(03-29-26) Matthew 20:17-19 

   “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” 

 

    In Today’s quote, Jesus took the twelve apostles aside to told them of his impending betrayal, condemnation, suffering, death and eventual resurrection, emphasizing that his mission was soon coming to its divine conclusion in Jerusalem. ~

Lesson 5167

 (Lesson 5167)(03-26-26) Matthew 20:1-16 

   “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” 

 

    Today’s quote, teaches through the Parable of the Labourers that God’s grace is distributed according to His sovereign generosity rather than human merit or seniority, demonstrating that those who serve the Lord for a lifetime and those who come to Him at the "eleventh hour" receive the exact same reward of eternal life and divine favor. ~ 

NOTE: I’m very sorry be there will be no lessons posted for tomorrow nor Saturday, The lessons will resume Sunday, I will be out of town till then. I will try to do better.