With His face set like flint for Jerusalem, the days of concealing His identity are behind Jesus. Large crowds had gathered about Him and His disciples. The time for His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem had come. Arrangements for this day had been made before the foundation of the world, but there was no way for the enthusiastic crowds to comprehend as much. They had their plans for their Messiah, too!

But how well did their ambitions align with the Master and Maker's? How well do ours even still today?

If you're able, please turn to Matthew 21 in a copy of God's Word, and join us in verses one through eleven for today's sermon entitled, "Who is this?"

Today's passage:

21:1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your king is coming to you,humble, and mounted on a donkey,and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” -Matthew 21.1-11 (esv)

Do you like being interrupted? Not many do.

En route to Jerusalem for the Passover, crowds did all they could to suppress the annoying interruption of a couple of blind beggars, crying out for Jesus' attention. They wanted to see! But the crowds just wanted them to hush. That didn't sway their efforts in the least. They just cried out all the louder for help from the Son of David.

I wonder if there's anything for us to learn in this passage? Join us today in Matthew 20, verses 29 to 34.

Today's passage:

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. -Matthew 20.29-34 (esv)

The way of the world versus the Way of the Word.

In last week's passage, the mother of James and John requested that her boys sit at King Jesus' right and left in His Kingdom. In our passage today, the Lord handles the indignant response of the other 10 jealous disciples. All of them wanted the best seat in the coming Kingdom too. They didn't like the idea of Jesus showing--perhaps family--favoritism to anyone.

But is fighting over who gets the best seat really how things work in Jesus' Kingdom?

Humility is a necessary, faithful and painful lesson anyone who would follow the Master must learn. Our only hope is... Well, don't take my word for it. Join us today and we'll hear it straight from Jesus' own Word.

Today's passage:

24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20.24-28 (esv)

It's all connected... like one long tapestry. From his first verse through to today's passage, Matthew and the Holy Spirit continue their mission of revealing Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Messiah.

On the heals of explaining how 'the last become first, and the first last', wherein the Lord leveled the playing field, revealing how everyone is just as dependent as anyone else on God's grace, no matter how long or little they've served in His Kingdom, Jesus now attests to the means of our receiving such grace from God: His death, burial and resurrection on our behalf.

In addition to predicting His death a third time, this time He proclaims the who and the how. Surely more information would help His disciples better understand His prediction this time, right? Nope.

Please join us this week in Matthew's account of the Good News of Jesus Christ, chapter 20, verses 17 through 23.

Today's passage:

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” -Matthew 20.17-23 (esv)

Just what did Jesus mean last week at the close of Matthew 19: "The last shall be first, and the first last"? Well, that's where we pick things up this week. How is it that the last are first, and the first last?

Our Lord employs a parable to make His point clear. And it's a bit of a shocker as well, especially for those new to Christ or not His at all. I mean, it only makes sense that those who work the longest and hardest deserve the most, doesn't it? Well, maybe here on this earth, but is that the way it works for all eternity?

Join us this week as we begin a new chapter in Matthew's account of God's Good News, chapter 20, verses one through 16.

Today's passage:

20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” -Matthew 20.1-16 (esv)

It's only natural think that those who seem to have it made, those who seem to have everything they want and need... It's only natural to think they are the ones who are most "blessed" by God. But the Supernatural Son of Man says just the opposite. It's the wealthy who receive some of the most sobering words of warning in all of Scripture. Why? Does Jesus just want His followers to be poor and lonely, miserable and unhappy? No! In fact, it's just the opposite. In John 15.11, He says,

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

There it is! Jesus warns as much, not for our misery, but for our joy... our full joy!

Confused yet? Well, if you're able, open a copy of God's Word to Matthew 19. We'll begin this week in verse 23.

Today's passage:

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. -Matthew 19.23-30 (esv)

"Let the children come to Me." Those were the words of Jesus from our passage last week. "For the Kingdom belongs to such as these." Christ's Kingdom is fit only for those with child-like faith, humility and dependence upon Jesus, the Rock of our salvation.

But, "behold!" This week we meet up with a very different case: a wealthy young man looking to justify himself before the Good Teacher. What do the children of Christ's Kingdom and this rich young ruler have in common? Well, not much. What do you have in common with either? Wouldn't it be helpful to know?

Join us in Matthew's account of the Good News of Jesus, chapter 19, verses 16-22.

Today's passage:

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. -Matthew 19.16-22 (esv)

Having just declared God's sacred intent for marital permanence, the subject now shifts naturally on to the product of such sacred unions: children. "Jesus," indeed, "loves the little children." "Let the children come to Me."

Ever seen a politician pose for a pic with a baby? Any idea why they do that? They may not know it either, but it has everything to do with the King of kings and His value of little children.

If you're able, please join us in Matthew 19, verses 13-15 today.

Today's passage:

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away. -Matthew 19.13-15 (esv)

The first word of Jesus' Great Commission is "go". Go where? To all nations, of course. Isn't that what the rest of the passage says: "Go make disciples of all nations..."

When many Christians read those words they tend to think that such a command and commission applies mainly--if not only--to a smaller, especially called group of disciples known as missionaries. After all, missionaries are usually those who leave their own nation to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in other nations.

That is exactly right. But, thinking the Great Commission, therefore, doesn't apply to the rest of us is not at all right. Not at all. Jesus' mandate to missions is meant for every one of His followers. So, are you living on mission?

If you're able, please turn in your copy of God's Word to Matthew chapter 28, and following along in vv19-20.

Today's passage:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28.19-20 (esv)

As we worked through last week's passage, discovering God's deign and intent for permanence in our marriages, all kinds of questions arose in the minds of many. Even as Jesus' disciples heard the truth, they too came away with a weighty question and conclusion: "If such is the case about marriage, who then should be married?"

As Jesus responds to their questions, and as we consider other passages that may help you with some of yours, may we find the grace and hope we need to trust, love and obey Him today.

Today's passage:

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” -Matthew 19.10-12 (esv)