Matthew 20 - Introduction

CHAPTER TWENTY OUTLINES

Section 50. Jesus Tells Parable of Eleventh Hour Laborers (Matthew 20:1-16)

Section 51. Jesus Predicts His Passion a Fourth Time (Matthew 20:17-19)

Section 52. Jesus Refuses to Establish a Hierarchy (Matthew 20:20-28)

Section 53. Jesus Heals Two Blind Men at Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34)

STUDY OUTLINES

(Theme continued from Chapter 19: THE LORDSHIP OF GOD IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS)

IV.

GOD-MAN RELATIONSHIPS Illustrated by the Parable of the Eleventh-Hour Laborers (Matthew 20:1-16)

A.

Parable of householder hiring workmen to work in his vineyard.

1.

Having been hired at various hours of the day, they expect varying wages.

2.

He orders them all paid the same amount, beginning with the last laborers hired.

3.

Those who worked all day complain that the last were made equal to them in pay.

4.

Householder answers:

a.

I am doing you no wrong, because you received all the pay you bargained for.

b.

I can do what I want to with my own possessions. What is that to you?

c. Do you begrudge my generosity? (Everything depends upon the free will and mercifulness of God.)

B.

General principle taught: Human expectations are likely to be overturned by God's free, generous decision.

I.

FOURTH PASSION PREDICTION (Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34)

A.

SITUATION: Jesus and disciples on last trip to Jerusalem

B.

JESUS-' REACTION: Passion prediction

II.

THE QUESTION OF POWER-STRUCTURE IN THE KINGDOM: JESUS REFUSES TO ESTABLISH A HIERARCHY (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45)

A.

JESUS-' AUNT SALOME AMBITIOUSLY SEEKS ARBITRARY FAVOR ITISM FOR HER SONS (Matthew 20:20-21)

B.

JESUS PARRIES THEIR REQUEST (Matthew 20:22-23)

1.

Rebuke: You do not know what you are asking.

2.

Question: Are you able to suffer with me? They answer, Yes.

3.

Prophecy: You will suffer with me.

4.

Refusal: Places of honor are only for those for whom my Father intends them. (Everything depends on God.)

C.

THE OTHER APOSTLES ARE JEALOUS AT JAMES AND JOHN (Matthew 20:24; Mark 10:41)

D.

JESUS REPEATS HIS LESSON ON TRUE GREATNESS (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45)

1.

Worldly greatness apparently consists in the number of people over whom one exercizes authority.

2.

True greatness in the Kingdom is measured by the number of people to whom you are able to do service.

3.

My own life of service and death for others is the standard!

III.

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF JESUS-' TRUE MESSIAHSHIP OF SERVICE (Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)

A.

SITUATION: On Jesus-' journey to Jerusalem after He taught the Twelve about the sinfulness of selfish ambitions, He is met by two blind men at Jericho requesting help from Him as the Son of David (= Messiah).

B.

RESPONSE: After permitting the blind men to address Him repeatedly in public as Son of David (= Messiah), Jesus stopped everything to heal them, proving not only He was truly the Messiah, but also that His royal majesty is seen in the service of others.