June 18, 2012
Grumbling. Grumbling comes about because of comparisons. Did they get more than me? Grumble. Grumble. Are they more important than me? Grumble. Grumble. Do they have more than me? Grumble. Grumble.
Jesus tells the story of the landowner who hired servants to work his vineyard. Some were hired for the entire day and some were hired for one hour, yet they each received the same pay. Grumble. Grumble. Jesus compares this to the kingdom of heaven. Some have spent lifetimes "saved" while others are "saved" on their death beds. The grumbler says, "How can this be fair?" What a ridiculous question. The life-timer had the privilege of serving God and seeing the hand of God working in their lives. What does it matter—when? It only matters—that! I like how the NIV says it, "Are you envious because I am generous?" A grumbler thinks it is all about him. He forgets it has nothing to do with him. It is all about GOD!
Ambition. Personal ambition brings about another reason to grumble. James and John's mother goes to Jesus to see whether her sons can sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. She has no idea what that would involve, she was only thinking about a place of honor and glory for her sons (and therefore herself). She didn't realize it meant drinking from the cup of sorrow and anguish. When the other disciples heard about it, they (you guessed it) grumbled. Jesus explained, "Whoever wants to become great among you must serve... whoever wants to be first... must serve." (Matthew 20:26–27)
Jesus came to serve. We must do the same. Life is not about us. It is about God, FIRST and ONLY.
Next Entry: Matthew 21:1–46
Grumbling. Grumbling comes about because of comparisons. Did they get more than me? Grumble. Grumble. Are they more important than me? Grumble. Grumble. Do they have more than me? Grumble. Grumble.
Jesus tells the story of the landowner who hired servants to work his vineyard. Some were hired for the entire day and some were hired for one hour, yet they each received the same pay. Grumble. Grumble. Jesus compares this to the kingdom of heaven. Some have spent lifetimes "saved" while others are "saved" on their death beds. The grumbler says, "How can this be fair?" What a ridiculous question. The life-timer had the privilege of serving God and seeing the hand of God working in their lives. What does it matter—when? It only matters—that! I like how the NIV says it, "Are you envious because I am generous?" A grumbler thinks it is all about him. He forgets it has nothing to do with him. It is all about GOD!
Ambition. Personal ambition brings about another reason to grumble. James and John's mother goes to Jesus to see whether her sons can sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. She has no idea what that would involve, she was only thinking about a place of honor and glory for her sons (and therefore herself). She didn't realize it meant drinking from the cup of sorrow and anguish. When the other disciples heard about it, they (you guessed it) grumbled. Jesus explained, "Whoever wants to become great among you must serve... whoever wants to be first... must serve." (Matthew 20:26–27)
Jesus came to serve. We must do the same. Life is not about us. It is about God, FIRST and ONLY.
Next Entry: Matthew 21:1–46
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