St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse:2, The Instructions.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus sends two disciples into Jerusalem)
Part 2. 

So the two disciples were sent into Jerusalem with specific instructions.  They were given instructions before and knew how to follow them.  He had given them powers before to do his bidding.  He had instructed them before on what to expect and what they would find in their journeys.  So they knew that his instructions were good and that they would find exactly what he had told them.

So they went into the village and followed his instructions.  He:  saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you and immediately you will find an ass tied and a colt with her; loose them and bring them to me." 

So they did as they were told, following his instructions.  Jesus knew the purpose of his instructions to the disciples.  He knew how he would use the ass and the colt, but the disciples did not.  They could only wait patiently until understanding came to reveal itself of the purpose.  They had patience.  They did not have understanding.  They did not have the knowledge of his actions.  They only had his words to them to follow.  And lo more was revealed.

Christ gives us instructions today.  He wants us to follow what he has given us to live by.  Why should we follow these instructions?  Is there some reason that they apply to us today as we live our lives in this world.  Most would say that they do not apply because we live in a different time and place than some two thousands years ago.  Do we even believe in those instructions or even the consequences of them? 

Christ came that we would know.  He came that we would have a reference, an example.  He came that we would not have any excuses of not knowing.  For at the end of our time here on this earth, here in this realm, we will be transformed and will face the consequences of our actions.  He came out of love for us.  He came out of compassion.  He came out of mercy that we might have the opportunity to a new life.  He came that we might not die.  For the jury is instructed by the judge and they will return a verdict.  There is no deadlock.  There is no mistrial.  There is only the verdict that awaits us.  Follow the instructions and get your reward, eternal life.

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ.   The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.

St Matthew, Chapter 20, verse: 2, The Laborer's agreement.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard) Part 2. 

Christ continues to educate his disciples on the kingdom of heaven by using a parable.  He tells them that the kingdom of heaven is like a house-holder who needs laborers to work in his vineyard.  The owner goes out to the market place and hires laborers to do the work.  He makes an agreement with them to do the work and he agrees to pay them for the work that they will do.  The agreement is for one denarius to work in the vineyard all day.  The laborers agree and go to work in the vineyard.

The disciples understand this concept because they themselves have hired laborers to work with them and have made agreements before the work has begun.  The process is simple.  The procedure is standard and used by most laborers and those seeking to hire laborers.  So Christ told his disciples:  "And having agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard."

We are given this example because most can relate to being hired for work.  In today's world we make application and have an interview and the personnel representative makes the decision to hire based on the needs of the position and the company.  We seek to work and they seek to hire.  We agree to work for a price and they agree to pay the price that we agree.  In most cases the pay is already set in writing.  So Christ is giving his disciples and us, today, a living example that we can use to compare to the kingdom of heaven. 

Why does he want us to think of the kingdom of heaven as a work-laborer relationship?  Why does he want us to understand the parallel between the two?  What are the similarities?  What are the differences?  Are we being called to work in the kingdom?  Are we being offered a work-laborer relationship?  What is our pay?  What is our compensation?  What work are we required to do?

Christ came that we would have life and have it more abundantly.  He came that we would know the truth of who we are in him.  He came to pay the price for our transgressions.  And having paid that price, he came that we would be released from the bondage of our past sins and given a new opportunity to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  We are cleansed.  We are justified.  And we are newly born again.  He has offered the invitation to work in his vineyard.  He has agreed to pay the wages for the work.  The decision is ours to make if we want to work in his vineyard.  Or the decision is ours if we want to work in the vineyard of death. 

Christ calls us.  Christ wants us.  Christ has given us the opportunity.  But it is ours to accept or to reject.  Each one and everyone has the decision to make.  What will yours be?  Who will you work for?  What will be your reward?  Come!  Let us go and work for the Lord that he may provide for us.  The harvest is great but the laborers are few.  Are you one?

Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you.  Open the door and let him in.