"Matthew 20: Do you begrudge my generosity?"

Matthew 20

In the most recent opportunities I have had to share the Gospel with someone, the response has been the same: "I just can't believe that no matter what someone has done, all they have to do is believe in Jesus and they are forgiven and go to Heaven." More or less, they are saying that they are better than those "big sinners" like Jeffrey Dahmer who have reportedly been redeemed by Christ, and that only good people like them should go to Heaven.

I can't hold this view too much against my friends, because I share a similar one in my own heart. It began to be exposed a few weeks ago in a very inspiring conversation over coffee about service to the poor. It amazed me to hear someone speak so passionately about going to the dregs and witnessing to them, mainly because it hardly enters my mind to make eye contact with, or walk on the same side of the street as them. I am showing then that same attitude of superiority, and a worse one in my mind. At least those I witnessed to were separating themselves based on morality; I am simply on economic status!

In both cases, pride of entitlement is the root mentality. My friends think a "good person" should go to Heaven, rather than a redeemed sinner. I think I am too good to be seen speaking with a homeless person, and by extension, that they don't deserve to hear that same witness that my friends think is so foolish. Problem is, who is the more likely to respond? The more "sick" that needs a physician? My friends think they're all good and on their way. Now, to my growing shame, I don't know any homeless or truly materially needy people, but I bet they don't think such things about themselves.

Really though, the more likely responder is beside the point. The point in the case of our text is sovereignty and fairness defined by God. This pride, be it incredulity at God's forgiveness or haughtiness dictating who should hear about it, is a grudge against God's generosity to all He calls to Himself. All things are His, including all men's hearts. Who are we to question what He does with His own possessions?

Looking at it this way, my friends look like the sons of Zebedee (vv. 20-23), asking Jesus to sit them at his right or left as they smirk and scoff at those less deserving. Or in my specific case, I feel like the crowds rebuking the blind men pleading for Jesus to help them (vv. 29-34), and would deny them their salvation for my pride. What foolishness! Is my spirit richer than theirs? Am I more deserving of a wage than they are? I deserve nothing, have nothing, and will forever be nothing apart from the grace that saved me! Curse this flesh with it's pride and fear!

We work in God's vineyard and are doing the work of Christ. Who would he be serving? The wages are his to distribute, the grace is His to give, and I am no one to judge who receives them. God save us all, me especially, from continuing in this pride and fear of man that keeps us from obeying His command to serve and thus save the least of these. I for one need to grow in my understanding of who owns the vineyard and determines every one's wage.

Other Thoughts:
It seems that Jesus condemns the sons of Zebedee, James and John, to be martyred in his rebuke of their request, as referenced above. Yet John lived out his life and (I believe) by all accounts, died at a ripe old age in relative peace. Perhaps this is yet another study in this particular application of our text?

This is the first in a long and still going series of readings, sermons and conversations in which the Spirit has lead me to this theme of serving the poor, the homeless, elderly, widowed, etc. All of which I have always been too proud to go beyond supporting ministries financially in. I see now that this is not nearly enough. Please pray for me, and yourself as well, that He would continue this work and bear it's fruit sooner rather than later.

Matthew 16-17: "The sons are free"

Matthew 16:13-17:27 covers Peter's confession of Christ, the transfiguration, an exorcism by Christ and his coming to Capernaum. Each of these is accompanied by a rebuke or reproof of either all the disciples or Peter in particular. In the case of the transfiguration, the poor guy just doesn't get it, thinking Moses and Elijah would actually be served by having a tent to sleep in! The thrust in my heart as I read this passage is in it's conclusion, beginning with 17:24.

After Peter's confession and hearing directly from God the Father that Jesus is his beloved son, Jesus finally claims his sonship with a question concerning the temple tax. At first it appears that Peter is just receiving yet another correction from Christ. Peter had told the tax collector that Jesus would pay the half-shekel tax, the fee for coming to the temple, but Jesus had another idea of who the king of the temple was. In verse 25 he asks Peter if earthly kings tax their sons or others. After giving the obvious answer, Jesus tells him that he, being a son of the king as Peter himself confessed, will not be paying the tax. This is where I love to envision Peter, likely realizing again his mistake and maybe muttering a lowly response of "yes, rabbi" as he begins to wonder how to deal with the tax collector. But Jesus in his soverignty already has a solution. He tells Peter to go catch a fish, and it will have a shekel in it's mouth. Here I envision Peter looking relieved and grateful, but he had yet to hear the best part. As Jesus completes his instructions to Peter, he tells him to "take it to them for me and for yourself."

Peter looks at his master with a little confusion at this and thinks: "Wait now. "The sons are free..."" Something tells me that Peter, or perhaps anyone else at that point, had never considered himself a son of God. Yet here was his master, "The Christ, the Son of the living God", including Peter with him in his illustration of sonship. What a revelation for Peter! The one who confessed Christ as God's son, now being confirmed by Christ as a son also with him! What joy and wonder must have filled him at the realization of what he had just been told as he cought that fish and paid that earthly tax with his heavenly Father's money.

The sons are free!

Now honestly, I've been too cought up in thinking about Peter to precisely apply the principal to my own heart. There are a couple of ways I think it could be done, but for now they are too broad to put down in writing. For now I think it's good to keep sharing in Peter's joy, and realize anew that I am a son of God, that I am free, and my "tax" has been paid!


Other thoughts:
This is the second time we have heard "a voice from Heaven" saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." Both times, Christ is confessed by man prior to this happening. In John's Gospel, by John the Baptist before he baptises Jesus. In our text, by Peter as mentioned above. And Jesus doesn't make any direct claims to his sonship until after this second confession by Peter and then by the Father. I wonder if there is something to the pattern?

Matthew 16-17 are great parallels for Matthew 21 as preached by Pastor Mike Bullmore of Crossway Community Church on March 16th of this year regarding Christ's duality of being both soverign King and suffering Savior. Have a listen and then find for yourself the passages in these two chapters that identify Jesus as both.

Athanatos!
-Jason