Chris Marshall Resources

Ezekiel 42 continues the description of the inner portion of the Temple, and then moves to describing the outer courts.  The total Temple area measured 500 cubits square. 500 cubits is 750 feet, so the Temple area was to be 562,500 square feet! Having been to Israel, and seeing the Temple mount area, I know it is the size of seven football fields or 315,000 square feet.  While it is most impressive, the future Temple will cover an area more than twice as big.  The LORD’s finished work is always greater than anything we can think or imagine.  

Ezekiel 43 tells of the LORD’s glory entering the Temple.  Ezekiel describes it as being the same as he saw at the very beginning of his prophecy at the Chebar Canal.  The LORD spoke to Ezekiel and told him to share this vision with the people and to tell them He would be with them forever, and they would sin no more.  After this description, the LORD described the new altar that was to be constructed for sacrifices, and also the types and numbers of sacrifices that would be necessary to consecrate the altar.

Ezekiel 44 tells of the holiness of the East gate leading to the Temple.  Because the LORD’s glory entered there, no one shall be permitted to enter the East gate.  Only the prince of the nation might sit there and watch the sun as it rose in the east.  The LORD also offered another command: The people will be holy.  He condemned the priesthood for leading the people astray, but then reestablished the Levitical priests of the line of Zadok as the ones to minister over the people.  They had not turned against the LORD in the past, so they would be His servants in this future restored Kingdom.

As we return to Mark 1 for the fifth time, the gospel is becoming familiar to us.  We remember it contains only sixteen chapters and is the shortest of the four gospels.  It is more “action-packed,” and contains less teaching from Jesus’ mouth than the other gospels.  Mark 1 starts with a record of John the Baptist’s ministry.  We find no record of Jesus’ birth as in Matthew and Luke.  We see Jesus first at His baptism by John.  Mark’s record is brief, as is his record of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness.  When Jesus starts His ministry, His message is the same as that of John: Repent! For the Kingdom of God is near.  He also adds something: Believe the gospel.  Jesus has not only come to call the world to repentance, but also to bring the good news of salvation through His sacrificial death and resurrection.  We don’t see that in its fullness in chapter 1, but it will become apparent quickly in Mark’s gospel.  We read, too, of Jesus calling the first four disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John.  Jesus starts His ministry of teaching and healing in a big way, as He enters Capernaum, teaches in a synagogue, casts a demon out of man, and then heals the sick and demon-possessed of the entire town.  After that long day of ministry, Jesus gets up in the morning and goes off by Himself to pray.  This was Jesus’ pattern: start the day in solitude with His Heavenly Father.  When the disciples came to find Him, they had an agenda for Jesus: Let’s go back and have another day of amazing ministry in Capernaum.  But Jesus knew His calling.  He said they must go throughout Galilee and teach in the synagogues.  That is why He came.  We are introduced in the closing verses of the chapter to a common theme in Jesus’ life and ministry: As He was going from one place to another, a leper came to Him.  As we read Mark’s gospel, and all of the gospels to one degree or another, we find Jesus was often approached by individuals and groups “as he was going….”  In those moments, Jesus didn’t say, “I’m too busy for you.”  He stopped, listened and helped.  In this case, Jesus touched the leper and healed Him.  The touch is significant, because in touching the leper Jesus became ceremonially unclean.  But we learn an important truth: Before Jesus, when someone touched a leper that person became unclean.  When Jesus touched a leper, the leper became clean!

Ezekiel 39 continues the prophecy against Gog.  We read the entire people of God will be destroyed, and the defeat will be so extensive it will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury all the dead.  The LORD tells the birds and wild animals they will feast on the flesh of these mighty warriors, because they will all be dead.  The chapter ends with another promise of restoration to the people of Israel and Judah.  The LORD tells them He will put His Spirit in them.

Ezekiel 40 offers a vision of the rebuilt Temple.  This vision took place twenty-five years after the people had been carried into exile, so it was still a long time before the people would return.  Yet, the LORD offered Ezekiel an extensive description, and a vision of the restored Temple, including the dimensions of the gates, the outer courts, and the inner court.  He described chambers where the priests would stay who had charge of the Temple and of the altar.  The descriptions are precise and continue into Ezekiel 41.  In this chapter, we read descriptions of the inner Temple with its many chambers, and carvings.  This Temple was to be much larger than the original Temple built in Solomon’s time.  Because we know the second Temple which was built when the exiles came back from Babylon, was smaller than Solomon’s Temple, it is likely the Temple we are reading about is the Temple we will have in the time of Jesus’ return.  The description of the Temple continues into Ezekiel 42, as we will see tomorrow.

As we return to Matthew 28, we come to the most powerful incident in the history of the world: Jesus’ resurrection.  Some would say without His birth there could have been no resurrection, which is true.  Others point to the crucifixion and say this was the supreme moment in human history, because Jesus satisfied God’s wrath when He died in our places.  That is also true. Yet, if Jesus had never risen from the dead, no one would celebrate His birth nor remember His crucifixion.  Without the resurrection, Jesus was just a martyr, but with it He is Lord and God, as Thomas would say, the first time he saw Jesus after His resurrection.  Matthew offers us one detail about Jesus’ resurrection that none of the other gospel do.  Matthew tells us the guards went to the Jewish leaders to tell them Jesus had risen, and the Jewish leaders came up with a story about the disciples taking Jesus’ body away to make it look like He had risen.  We’re told the Jews believed it up to the day the gospel was written.  Indeed, Jews the world over believe that account to this day.  Jesus was, however, quite alive, and He appeared to the disciples before returning to heaven.  Matthew tells us of only two post-resurrection appearances by Jesus.  The first, was to the women who had gone to the tomb, to finish embalming Jesus.  When they saw Jesus, He told them to have His followers meet Him in Galilee.  Eventually, they did meet Him there.  He told them to go into all the world and make disciples of every nation.  We call these words the Great Commission.  As Jesus’ followers living nearly 2,000 years later, we haven’t completed the task.  Our challenge is to go to our homes, places of work or school, out into our communities, and then beyond them, eventually to the ends of the earth, making certain every person has the opportunity to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.  That’s the task we must complete, because every person must have the opportunity to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord in his or her lifetime, before it is too late.  Thank God for His amazing grace and mercy in our lives, shown through Jesus’ call for us not only to be disciples, but to make disciples everywhere!

In Ezekiel 36, the LORD prophesies to the mountains of Israel.  The prophecy concerns the current situation–the devastation of the people for their sins, as well as the future return of the people.  The mountains have borne reproach, but in the future, they will be populated with the LORD’s people once again.  The LORD also testifies to the holiness of His name, and tells Ezekiel that holiness required the punishment of the people.  The chapter closes with the LORD’s promise that He will bring His people back and will put His Spirit in them.  He will take out their hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh.  This is the most promising chapter of promise we have seen in the entire prophecy to this point!

In Ezekiel 37, we read the famous account of the valley of dry bones.  Ezekiel is shown a valley filled with dry bones, and the LORD asks, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  Ezekiel offers an excellent answer, “LORD, you know.”  The LORD always knows, and in this case, He brings the bones together, and then puts the muscle and skin back on them and breathes the breath of life into them.  This is a promise that the people will come alive once again.  After this image, the LORD tells Ezekiel to take two sticks, one representing Israel and one representing Judah and to tie them together.  This symbolizes the nation of Israel will be reunited, and “King David” will rule over it once again.  What a tremendous chapter!  In one great and miraculous sweep of will, the LORD will restore the land, the people, and the nation.

Ezekiel 38 starts the prophecy against “Gog of the land of Magog.”  Many believe this is an end-time prophecy, because the LORD says it will happen in the “latter days.”  Gog will come against Israel, and the LORD’s wrath will come against Him. (And tomorrow we will see the final outcome!)

As we return to Matthew 27, we read the events from Jesus being brought to Pilate for judgment by the Jewish leaders, to the time of Jesus’ being put in the tomb.  It is literally, a dark time.  Judas hangs himself; the people request the release of Barabbas, a murderer, instead of Jesus the innocent one.  Jesus is mocked by the Roman soldiers who would crucify Him.  When Jesus was crucified, the skies literally turned dark.   In His darkest moment, when Jesus felt the weight of the sins of the world on Him, He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  It doesn’t get darker than that.  But as the old saying goes, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”  When Jesus was entombed, the Jewish religious leaders went to Pilate and asked for guards to watch the tomb, because of Jesus’ claim He would rise from the dead.  As we’ll see tomorrow (and as we already know) the soldiers were no match for what was about to happen!

In Ezekiel 33, the LORD tells Ezekiel he is the watchman for Israel.  In the discourse, the LORD tells Ezekiel if the swordsmen come and Ezekiel cries out and the people are destroyed their blood will be on themselves, but if he does not warn the people their blood will be on him.  Then the LORD gets more specific and tells Ezekiel that if he tells the people of their wickedness and they repent, they will be saved, but if he doesn’t tell the people and they don’t repent, their blood will be on him.  The role of the watchman is vital, and the Apostle Paul uses it in Acts 20 with the Ephesian elders to tell them that he has been a faithful watchman to the Ephesian church and is, therefore, innocent of every person’s blood.  The close of the chapter tells us Jerusalem has fallen.  All the prophecies have now become a reality.

In Ezekiel 34, the LORD condemns Israel’s “shepherds,” their priests and leaders for eating the sheep, and not caring for the lost and sick. He tells them He will become the shepherd for the sheep.  He will be the one who cares for them and calls them back. (This is another message of hope for the people!)  He then tells the “sheep,” He will divide between the sheep.  The fat sheep, the ones who have pushed and shoved their way instead of caring for the lean sheep, will be judged.  Always in the Book of Ezekiel we find judgment and mercy.  We ought not be surprised, because the day of judgment comes for all of us.  We will be judged based on what we have done with the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

In the brief chapter, Ezekiel 35, the LORD condemns Mt. Seir for her joy at Israel’s destruction.  Any who gloat over the pain of God’s people, will be judged for that stance.  The LORD asks why they did not help, rather than plan to come in and take over the land.  As a result, the people of that land will be destroyed.

As we return to Matthew 26, we read the last moments of Jesus’ life before His arrest, and the first few hours after His arrest.  Jesus ate a meal, which we might call the next to the last supper, at the home of Simon the Leper, (who must have been healed by Jesus.  Otherwise, he would not have been permitted to be in his home!)  At the meal a woman came and anointed him with expensive perfume.  The disciples were upset at the “waste” of money, but Jesus affirmed the woman’s action, saying she was preparing His body for burial.  That must have sounded strange to the folks in attendance, even though Jesus had warned His followers He would be arrested, found guilty, beaten, crucified, and buried.  He told them He would also rise after three days.  As we read through the chapter, Jesus hosts the “Last Supper,” at which He announces His betrayal, and transforms the Passover Meal into a remembrance of the New Covenant.  Then they go to the Mount of Olives where Jesus tells the disciples they will all fall away.  Peter protests, but Jesus tells him, he will deny even knowing Jesus three times that night.  Jesus then goes and prays in earnest for the “cup” to pass from Him.  This is the cup of His Father’s wrath which Jesus will “drink” for the sins of the world.  Later, Jesus is arrested and put through the mockery of a trial, where He is condemned to death by the Jewish leaders.  Peter, meanwhile, had followed at a distance, and as Jesus said he would, denied knowing Jesus three times. Lest we be too hard on Peter, each of us has betrayed and denied Jesus in our lives.  The lesson to be learned is Jesus’ words are always true.  We must live them out, and we can only do that in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our goal is to put Jesus first in the power of the Holy Spirit, so when the temptation to deny or forsake Jesus comes, we will overcome!

Ezekiel 30 follows up chapter 29, which was a prophecy against Egypt, with a lament for Egypt.  This pattern has become consistent over the past several chapters with the LORD first pronouncing judgment against a nation through a prophetic pronouncement, and then following it up with a lament.  The lament is quite extensive and includes the names of many of the major cities of Egypt. The common theme is each will be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.  The men will be killed by the sword and the women will be carried off into captivity.  The judgment comes for Egypt’s idolatry.  The LORD would use an idolatrous nation, Babylon, to destroy other idolatrous nations, but in the end those who turn from Him always receive judgment. Babylon’s time would also come.

Ezekiel 31 offers a pronouncement of doom specifically for Pharaoh of Egypt.  The chapter includes a metaphor using trees to compare Pharaoh and Egypt to Assyria, and even to the garden of God. But after a long discourse pointing out that all these “trees” would go down to Sheol, we come back to the world of reality and it is Pharaoh who will be “cut down.”

Ezekiel 32 offers another lament for Pharaoh and Egypt.  Pharaoh considered himself a “lion,” but the LORD says he was a “dragon,” in the Nile and the LORD was going to catch him in His dragnet and cast him onto the land, where he would be destroyed.  Pharaoh’s death (and the death of Egypt) would be “watched” by the nations that had already been destroyed, (from Sheol we assume).  We are given a long list of the lands and kings that would watch and wail, just as we had the same type of pronouncement for Tyre.  As we have continued through the Book of Ezekiel, we have seen the LORD is not a “local” God.  He is not the God of Israel only, but the God over all the nations, and He stands in judgment against them for their idolatry, pride, and unwillingness to know and serve Him.

As we return to Matthew 25, Jesus tells three parables of the Kingdom. Each one makes it clear we must be ready when Jesus returns. The first parable is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. All were waiting for the bridegroom (Jesus) to come.  Five of the virgins were wise, as demonstrated by their bringing extra oil for their lamps, in case the bridegroom was delayed in his coming. the other five were foolish–they didn’t bring extra oil.  When their lamps were out of oil, the five foolish bridesmaids asked the wise ones to give them some oil.  The first five wouldn’t do so, because they might not have enough left for themselves.  While the foolish virgins went to search for a place to buy oil (which wasn’t likely to be found in the middle of the night!) the bridegroom returned.  The foolish virgins were locked out when they came to the wedding.  What a clear reminder of our need to be ready for Jesus’ return.

Next, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents, so named, because a master went on a trip and entrusted his money (talents) to three of his servants.  He gave one five talents, another two, and another one. We’re told each received the amount that accorded with his ability.  While the master was away, the first two servants doubled their master’s money, while the third one buried the money and did nothing with it.  Upon the master’s return, the first two servants were lauded by the master for their faithfulness and told to enter the joy of their master’s kingdom.  The master called the third servant lazy and wicked and cast him out. Again, the parable shows us our need for diligence and readiness as we wait for our Master’s return.

Finally, Jesus tells the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.  In this parable Jesus tells us directly when He returns, He will divide people into “sheep” and “goats.” The sheep will be the ones who have met His needs, by doing acts of service and kindness to those around them in need.  The goats will be the ones who have left the deeds undone.  While this is not a treatise on works-righteousness, that is being made righteous by our works, it is a reminder that we aren’t to sit under a tree and wait for Jesus to come back.  Our task is to be diligently about the work of the Kingdom as we wait for Jesus’ return.  In each of the parables, the faithful ones are rewarded, while the unfaithful ones are punished.  While some modern folks might be “upset” by this truth, it is found over and over again in Jesus’ life and ministry.  That means we must take it seriously and live our lives accordingly.

Ezekiel 27 is a lament for Tyre.  We read of the wonder, beauty, majesty and power of Tyre for verse after verse.  They were seafarers without parallel in the ancient world.  Many nations provided both their boatbuilders and boat workers.  Other nations provided them soldiers.  Nearly all the known world of the day held trade partnerships with Tyre, because of her ability to travel throughout the Mediterranean.  All that would be lost.  The boats would travel to sea and be lost there.  The people of Tyre would mourn, and the kings of many nations with them, because of Tyre’s influence.  All that was ending, because of Tyre’s idolatry.

Ezekiel 28 continues the prophecy and lament for Tyre, but this time it is specifically against the “prince” of Tyre.  Because of the specifics of the lament, some consider the “prince” to be a spirit, perhaps a fallen angel.  The LORD tells us the prince was wiser than Daniel, and considered himself a god, which is why the LORD was going to send men to kill him.  The LORD asks, “Will you still consider yourself a god then?”  It’s a question worthy of asking ourselves when we find ourselves filled with pride over some accomplishment.  All wisdom comes from God.  As Jesus’ apostle John tells us every good and perfect gift comes from God.  Even our ability to work and earn wages is God’s gift to us.  We must take a lesson from the prince of Tyre and remember there is one God, who is the LORD of all.  Our worship must be for Him alone.  The chapter concludes with a brief prophecy against Sidon, and then a promise the LORD will bring His people back together from all the lands where He has scattered them.  At the end of the day, those who belong to the LORD will be shown mercy.

Ezekiel 29 is a prophecy against the Pharaoh of Egypt and the land of Egypt.  Once again, because of Pharaoh’s pride in saying he formed the Nile, the LORD will “hook” Pharaoh like a sea creature and cast him into the wilderness.  Egypt will be left desolate.  This will come at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and all the wealth of Egypt will be carried off by the Babylonians.  The LORD does promise to restore Egypt after 40 years.  They will be resettled in the land, but it will never again be a great nation, nor will it rule over other nations.  Part of the reason for the judgment of Egypt is also, because they were a “broken reed,” which caused Israel to fall.  Once again, at the end of the chapter there is a brief word of hope and promise for Israel.

As we return to Matthew 24, we read Jesus’ prophecy of the coming destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and also of Jesus’ return.  Sometimes readers combine the two into one event, but it is clear because the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD that Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of the Temple was for the short term, while His prediction of His return was for the long term.  The key point about Jesus’ return is we must be ready for it.  Many spend their lives in seeking to determine when Jesus will return.  They scour the books of prophecy and the Book of Revelation to determine where we are in history, so we can know when Jesus will return.  The problem with that is Jesus told us no one knows the day and hour of His return.  The key is to be ready.  Jesus told us it will be as it was in the days of Noah when the flood came.  Only Noah and his family were ready. Everyone else was going about life as usual.  Then the flood hit, and everyone died.  In the same way, we must be ready, not surprised, when Jesus returns. Those who are ready will receive Jesus and the blessing of being with Him forever! 

In Ezekiel 24, the LORD tells Ezekiel to use a cooking pot as an example of what the LORD is going to do to the people of Jerusalem.  Ezekiel is to cook random pieces of sheep meat in a pot, and to take them out at random.  He is to burn the bones, and ultimately to heat the pot itself red hot on the fire, but nothing will take away the sin of the people, and the LORD is the fire that will destroy the people.  Then the LORD told Ezekiel his wife was going to die, but he was not to mourn for her, but only groan inwardly.  This happened the next night.  When the people asked the significance of this, Ezekiel was to tell them they were to mourn in the same way when they were carried off into exile.

In Ezekiel 25, the LORD pronounces judgment against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia.  Each in their turn had laughed at Judah’s destruction, and exile.  Therefore, the LORD was going to cause each of them to suffer humiliation and destruction.

Ezekiel 26 records the LORD’s judgment against Tyre.  In extensive detail the LORD tells Tyre it will be torn apart, and the nations around it will mourn the loss.  Tyre’s sins in addition to their idolatry included laughing at Judah’s destruction.  The LORD planned to use King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as His arm of judgment against Tyre, as he used him against Judah and so many other nations.

As we return to Matthew 23, we find Jesus pronouncing seven “woes” against the Pharisees.  This is a serious matter, as the Greek word recorded is “ouai” which literally means “damn you.”  Jesus spoke of many of the religious rituals and actions the Pharisees carried out and condemned them for them. He tells His listeners they will eventually be turned over to rulers and authorities by the religious leaders, as they continue to serve Him.  Jesus makes it clear He is our Lord and leader, and we aren’t to use titles such as teacher or father to lord over others, because He is our teacher and God is our heavenly Father.  He reminds us the life of following Him is a life of humility.  The chapter is a difficult one to read because it reminds us how important it is not to turn our life as Jesus’ followers into a religion, but always to keep our relationship with Him as the priority.

In Ezekiel 21, the LORD tells Ezekiel to pronounce judgment on Israel and Judah.  The message is repeated: The sword of the LORD is coming, and its destruction will be total.  The “sword” is Babylon.  The LORD will use this sword to destroy the nation completely.  The people will think it’s a false message, because of their treaty with Babylon, but the Babylonians will remind the Israelites they have rebelled against them.  Ezekiel then turns to Babylon and tells Ezekiel to tell its leaders not to rely on the omens of their magicians to determine whether to attack Jerusalem or the Ammonites.  The road will fork in two directions.  The LORD’s command is to take the road that leads to Jerusalem.  Lest the Ammonites think they are off the hook, the final message of the chapter is for them.  The LORD tells Ezekiel to tell them they will be utterly destroyed, and their memory erased from the face of the earth.

In Ezekiel 22, the LORD returns to His pronouncements against Jerusalem.  He tells us the people are murderers, adulterers, rapists and thieves.  They abuse the widows and orphans.  They do evil before the LORD continuously.  For that reason, He calls them the “slag” that is left after smelting metal.  He will refine them, and they will be “melted” like metal.  Then the LORD returns to condemning the people, but this time His main condemnation is for the leaders.  They are the worst of all, and even the priests join in the wickedness.  Therefore, the judgment will be quick, and the people will be scattered.

In Ezekiel 23, the LORD portrays Israel and Judah as two sisters, and graphically portrays them as prostitutes and then adulteresses.  They were adulteresses, because the LORD took them as His wives. While at first it was Israel who turned away from the LORD by worshiping the idols of the Assyrians, later the people of Judah did even worse things, by worshiping the idols of the Assyrians, and the Babylonians and offering their children to their false gods as sacrifices.  The judgment pronounced against both is justified for the intensity of their sin was so great.

As we return to Matthew 22, Jesus continues with the telling of parables, by telling a parable about a man who scheduled a great wedding feast for his son, but the invited guests wouldn’t come. (This would be the people of Israel.)  The man then invited anyone who would come, the good and the bad.  At the feast one man didn’t have on wedding clothes, so he was cast out.  This man represents those who are unprepared to receive the offer of welcome (salvation) from the LORD.  Following this parable, the Pharisees and Sadducees attempted to go on the offensive by asking questions they thought would trap Jesus in His words.  They were wrong.  First, they asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  They believed no matter what Jesus answered, they could condemn Him, because if He said, “Yes,” they would say He was a traitor against Israel, but if He said, “No,” they would turn Him into the Romans.  Jesus didn’t say yes or no. He told them to give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and to God what was God’s.  Next, the Sadducees attempted to trap Jesus with a theological question.  They didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they told Jesus about a man who was married but died before having any sons.  Therefore, his brother married him according to the law of levirate marriage.  This brother died, and another brother married him. This went on until seven men (all brothers) had married the woman and died.  Then the woman died. The question was, “Which man would the woman be married to in the resurrection, because she had been married to each?” Jesus responded they erred, because they knew neither the Scriptures, nor the power of God.  He proceeded to tell them in heaven we are neither married, nor given in married, but are like the angels in heaven.  He then gave the example of God saying He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, when He spoke to Moses in the burning bush.  This shows God is the God of the living, not the dead.  Finally, the Pharisees asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the Law of Moses.  Jesus answered the greatest commandment is to love the Lord completely, and to love one’s neighbors as oneself.  No one could argue with this.  For good measure, Jesus asked the religious leaders a question, “Whose son is the Christ?”  The question is difficult, because King David called the Messiah his Lord.  After this no one dared ask Jesus anymore questions.  After all, He had demonstrated He could answer any challenge offered to Him, and had questions of His own that no one could answer!

Ezekiel 15 is brief.  In it the LORD compares Jerusalem to the wood of the vine, which was good for nothing but fuel for a fire.  Nothing could be made from it, not even a peg to hang things.  The only purpose of the wood of the vine was to make  afire. Even so, the people of Jerusalem would be subjected to the fire.

In Ezekiel 16, the LORD compares Jerusalem to an unfaithful wife, who turned from Him and became a whore.  This would be bad enough under any circumstance, but the LORD saved her from death as an infant when she was cast off by her parents.  He nurtured and cared for her.  He adorned her with beautiful clothing and silver and gold.  The LORD indulged her and showed her great love.  Yet, she rejected Him, and worshiped idols.  She sacrificed her children to false gods.  She not only played the prostitute with many nations, but she paid her suitors to have sex with her.  The depth of Jerusalem’s sin surpassed that of Sodom and Samaria.  After recording this account of Jerusalem’s sin and her deserved punishment, the LORD turns to redemption.  Always.  Redemption is the final word.  The LORD promises the redemption of some even from Sodom and Samaria, and also Jerusalem.

In Ezekiel 17, the LORD tells the parable of two eagles and a vine.  Unless, He had provided the interpretation, we would be left utterly confused, but the LORD tells us the eagles represent Babylon and Egypt, and the vine represents Judah.  The point is the LORD gave Judah into the hands of Babylon, and there they would have been protected, but they turned to Egypt for help, which would only mean more destruction.

As we return to Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable of a landowner who hired workers each hour throughout the day.  The first workers hired were told they would be paid a denarius, which was a typical day’s wage, for their work.  Each of the other workers were told they would be paid what was right.  At the end of the day, the landowner paid the workers who had only worked one hour first.  He gave them a denarius.  When the workers who had worked all day were paid, they also received one denarius.  They were upset at the landowner, but he asked them why there were?  He had agreed to pay them a denarius, which is what they were paid.  Then the landowner asked whether he had the right to be generous with his own money?  The first workers hadn’t seen it that way!  Then Jesus closed by saying, “Many who were last will be first.”  The order of the Kingdom is not the order of the earth.  We will all be rewarded, and we will not be jealous for what others receive.  It would be good for us to learn to celebrate the blessings of others, because that will be the way in heaven!

Next, Jesus told the disciples once again He would be arrested, convicted, crucified, and would rise from death.  This time the mother of James and John asked Jesus if He would let her sons sit at His left and right when He came into His Kingdom?  Jesus said those positions weren’t for Him to give.  When the other ten disciples heard what happened they were angry.  Why?  We can conjecture it was because they had been left out of the jockeying for position in Jesus’ Kingdom.  Jesus pointed out the way of the Kingdom is not the way of the world.  The greatest in the Kingdom is not the one with the “highest” position, but the one who serves.

The chapter ends with Jesus healing two blind men.  The significant point of the healing is Jesus tells the men it was according to their faith that they were healed.  Sometimes Jesus tells people it was their faith that was the key.  At other times, He makes it clear He heals to glorify the Father.  We must be clear that our healing or lack of it is never about us, even though our faith can play a part.  Jesus is the healer, not us!