Jesus left southern Galilee and walked south through the Jordan Valley with crowds of people traveling to Jerusalem for Passover. This was one of three times each year the Jewish people worshiped and feasted together, gathering for a huge, festive celebration.

Jesus looked forward to the time with his family and friends, but he knew his enemies were going to question and oppose everything he said or did. He also knew they were going to win their battle against him this time – at least temporarily.

“On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!’” Matthew 20:17-19

The Workers in the Vineyard

Jesus told a parable about some workers who got the same pay for different amounts of labor. It seemed unjust that one group of workers worked in the hot sun all day for one day’s wages, while other groups worked much shorter hours for the same pay. But this parable wasn’t about justice; it was about God’s sovereignty.

The landowner was free to conduct his business any way he chose; it was the workers who had a problem. Everyone was satisfied with their pay until they compared their situations. Then the protests began.

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’” Matthew 20:13-15

As the kingdom of Christ has expanded over the centuries some of the disciples have labored anonymously in difficult places all their lives for very little reward, while others quickly soared to success and fame.

And it’s still true today. There are some pastors who meet with tiny groups in secret places because of oppression, while others preach to tens of thousands in stadium-like buildings. Disciples who envy each other’s situations actually question the sovereignty of God.

The Apostle Paul had advice for dealing with the sin of envy.

^“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:4-5

James and John Make a Request

James and John were scorned for asking to be seated at Jesus’ left and right sides when he came into his kingdom, and on the surface it seemed as if the sons of Zebedee were seeking glory for themselves. But Jesus read their request differently.

“‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’

‘We can,’ they answered.

Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’” Mark 10:38-40

The right and left sides of a king belonged to his most loyal defenders, the ones who would die before they saw the king harmed. James and John were offering to be at Jesus’ side through whatever battles lay ahead of him, and even give up their lives for him.

Jesus told them he was about to be baptized by fire. Did they really think they could go through that experience with him? When they said they could, he agreed they could, but it wasn’t up to Jesus to appoint who would be at his side, it was up to his Father.

Greatness in the Kingdom

The other ten disciples were indignant with James and John for requesting this honor. Jesus called them all together and told them that if they aspired to great things in his kingdom, Instead of jockeying for high positions they should look for opportunities to serve.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Mark 10:43-44

It’s hard to think of how great we are when we’re looking for opportunities to serve. Service takes us behind the scenes, gets us up early and keeps us out late, doing the work that makes life possible for others. Jesus encouraged his disciples to think like servants and not seek any reward other than that which comes from a job well done.

And as always he was walking ahead of his disciples in this.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Jesus Heals a Blind Man

Jesus and his disciples reached Jericho, the last stop before Jerusalem. Outside of town they met two blind men, according to Matthew, or one blind man according to Mark and Luke. Once again, Matthew was the eyewitness to this event and he saw two men, but Mark and Luke only heard about one later. Perhaps the one man was more memorable because the disciples learned his name, Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus must have heard all about Jesus of Nazareth before he arrived, because the blind man began to shout when he heard Jesus was passing by.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47

The crowd tried to suppress Bartimaeus but Jesus heard his voice calling out Son of David. Here was a man who knew Jesus was the Messiah

“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’” Mark 10:49

Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped to his feet and groped his way to Jesus.

“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’

‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” Mark 10:51-52

Bartimaeus wanted to see, but he also wanted to follow the Messiah. He was a follower who came to Jesus late in his ministry, but who nevertheless received the same blessing others had already received.

Zacchaeus

There was one more person waiting to meet Jesus in Jericho, a wealthy tax collector named Zacchaeus. Jesus changed his life when he stopped under the sycamore fig tree and invited himself to lunch at the tax collector’s house.

People criticized Jesus for eating in the home of a sinner, but Zacchaeus couldn’t have been happier. He was changed that day; he repented of his sins and announced that he would make restitution for the money he had cheated out of people.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’” Luke 19:9-10

Parable of the Ten Servants

Some people thought that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to be crowned the king of Israel and they were ready to make it happen, but it wasn’t time for that. Jesus had come to his people, the Jews, but they had rejected him, so he has going back to heaven and leaving his disciples to carry on the work of his kingdom on earth.

Jesus’ disciples are given assignments and resources to do them. Some make the most of their opportunities; others fail to act.

Those who do well are given more resources and greater responsibilities, but this may not be visible to the rest of the world. Some assignments are in hidden places, like a hard-to-reach mission field. Nevertheless the Lord increases their influence and rewards their efforts.

“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’” Luke 19:26

At the end of time we will see what each of Christ’s servants has done with what they were given. Some have worked faithfully in a small opportunity until it went global in its scope. Others have started with a big opportunity and squandered it until nothing remained.

In each case it’s the relationship with the Lord that motivates people. Those who put the interests of Christ’s kingdom above their own selfish interests succeed. Those who worry only for their safety and comfort don’t invest what they have and it produces nothing.

The Lord doesn’t want to hear that we kept the Gospel to ourselves. The Good News that saves souls is a resource to share with the world.