Ken Blue Ministries

MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN #47

Matthew 20:1-34

This parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven, and the application is similar, in some respects, to the previous chapter. Jesus said the fields are ripe for harvest, but the labors are few. Here, we see men standing idle. The lord went out at daybreak and hired them to work in his vineyard. They agreed on the wage which was a penny, about 65¢ per day. The time frame is 6:00 a.m.; 3rd hour, 9:00 a.m.; 6th hour, 12:00 noon; 9th hour, 3:00 p.m.; and 11th hour, 5:00 p.m.

He never set a wage with those who were hired after the first ones. He only promised them that which is right.

At the end of the day, He called all the labors and gave each person the same amount; a day’s wage. However, those hired first, and had labored all day, complained when the other receive the same amount as themselves. Dr. B. R. Lakin said, “No one cares what you have or know, as long as it is not more than they know or have.” Such is human nature.   

Jesus told those who were first, that He did them no wrong. They were receiving as they agreed. The purpose of the parable is to show that those who were the first to labor in the Kingdom of Heaven ministry, will not necessarily receive greater rewards than those who come the last hour. Seniority does not count in God’s service. The only thing that will be acknowledged is faithfulness. Not all who serve the Lord have the same abilities, opportunities, or calling, but all can equally be faithful. Those who seek to be first, will not be chosen to be first. The Lord has a right to reward each man as He will.   
Again, the Lord tell His disciples how He would be treated at Jerusalem. “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” Again, we see that they cannot hear what He is telling them. The reason for their deafness was their preconceived belief of what His ministry must be. Like many today, they cannot hear when one attempts to teach them right divisions of Scripture. They are locked into tradition, and a belief that things must be as they have always believed.   

There is nothing like a mother’s love for her children. She was sincere in her worship, and desire for her sons. She knew He was the Messiah, and that He would establish His kingdom in Jerusalem. She wanted her sons to be first, and sit on His right and left hand. Jesus informed her that her that His Father was the one who would make that judgment. Also, it will be given to those who are worthy.

The baptism and the cup speak of our Lord upcoming suffering. “But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Luke 12:50. “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:42. Jesus assured them that they too, would suffer for His sake.

This request upset the other disciples, and they let it be known. They were insulted by the mother’s request. No doubt, they put their mother up to it. They were seeking first place in the Kingdom of Heaven, ahead of the other disciples.

Jesus calmed them, and instructed them that none should seek a superior position or authority. This was the behavior of Gentiles. They were called to serve and sacrifice themselves for others. They would then be like the Son of man, who came to minister and give His life a ransom for many.

As they departed Jericho, two blind men began to cry out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.” They too, acknowledged that He was the Messiah, the King of Israel. Their request was that He restore their sight. Some try to find a contradiction in the accounts of the healings of the blind. Dake’s notes help us understand the contrive apparent conflicts.

• “Note the different circumstances, the occasions, and other points of difference in three cases of healing the four blind men at Jericho on this visit: 1. “As He was come nigh unto Jericho” (Lk. 18:35-43). 2. “As He went out of Jericho” (Mk. 10:46-52). 3. “As they departed from Jericho” (Mt. 20:29-34). This case had “two blind men” while in the others there was only one. What was said by the men and by Christ in each case is different, as well as the other facts, proving them to be three different cases and not one. Jericho was a city of 100,000 so three cases of blindness and healing is not unreasonable. Blindness and eye diseases are very common in the East today. The percentage is said to be about one in five. When we have variances in gospel accounts it is always wise to consider them as different cases instead of forcing them to be the same and blaming the writers for not being inspired. If the cases are the same and details vary, then let us realize that the writers are giving details which the Holy Spirit wants them to give for a specific purpose, that taken together they make a more complete story and that they supplement each other, not contradict each other. Even then no doubt many details are not given in any one case. All are not necessary (cp. Jn. 21:25). Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

It is noteworthy, that the blind could see that He was Israel’s King, while the national leaders, who thought they could see, were blind. So it is today. The self-righteous cannot see their need for Him. Those who know they are blind sinners, willingly accept Him.

MATTERS CONCERNING OFFENCES, JUDGMENTS, AND FORGIVENESS 

Matthew 18:7-35.

 

This chapter begins with the question by the disciples, who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we have demonstrated repeatedly, the four Gospels are not about the church of this dispensation, but are about the Kingdom of Heaven Church. This would be clear to all, where it not for centuries of tradition, and the lack of right division of the Scriptures.  

 

The Lord warns all who stand in the way, or become a stumbling block to little children who would enter the Kingdom. If the foot, the hand, or the eye is a means by which a child is hindered from entering the Kingdom, it would be better to remove these, than to have one’s self cast into hell. Since angels are “ministering Spirits” to all would enter the Kingdom of Heaven, (Heb. 1:14) offences will not go unnoticed. These little ones are God’s sheep. His purpose for coming to Israel, was to save them.

 

We have discussed the need to settle disputes before they end up before the judges. Thus, in the Kingdom of Heaven, one should seek personal reconciliation.  If that fails, then the final recourse is to take it before the disciples who will be judges in the Kingdom Church. There is more than one “church” in Scripture. There was a church in the wilderness. That church, though in apostasy, existed in the time of Jesus and the disciples. There is the church today, which was a mystery. There will also be the Tribulation church, which will become the Kingdom of Heaven church.

 

The Twelve will be judges and whatever their request or decision is, will be approved by the Father. Those rejecting the judgment of these Judges, are to be shunned as a Gentile sinner. The “binding” and “loosening” is the decisions made by the Judges. Any two or three of the disciples who agree on a judgment, will be sufficient. If they need added wisdom, the Lord promises to promises to grant whatever they request. They are assured of His answer, and His presence.

 

The binding and loosening is taken as a prayer promise by the charismatics. Thus, you hear such silly commands from them that they are “binding” Satan. Again, this context, and the text has nothing to do with the church today, which was a mystery. The church can’t bind or loosen anything.
Our Lord’s teaching, prompted Peter to ask the following question. “…Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” Although, the Lord said, until seventy times seven, it implies unlimited forgiveness to those who repent and ask for it. Then He used a parable to illustrate the necessity of forgiving others. They were required to forgive in order to be forgiven. The believer in Christ today, ought to forgive because he has been forgiven. One can see that this is a works based salvation to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

We are well aware how strange all this is to most Christians. The fault lies in several false assumptions. The greatest of these is the failure to rightly divide the Word of God. This leads to the belief that Jesus came to establish a Gentile church. Another fault lies in reading the Church epistles, Romans through Philemon, back into the Kingdom of Heaven gospels. Although, there are many applications of Scripture, there is only one correct doctrinal, and dispensational interpretation.  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15.

 

TWO REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN #45

 

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1-6

 

One must not lose sight of the purpose of Matthew’s gospel. He presents Jesus as the son of Abraham, and the son of David. The Kingdom of Heaven has been offered to Israel by Jesus and His disciples, and it was rejected by the nation. In the last half of Matthew, (The Abraham section) Jesus prepares the disciples for suffering, and His own death. However, they were oblivious to both teachings.  Their concern was who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. The question was not about the local church, or heaven.

In answer to their question, He called a little child unto Him. As an object lesson, the child was used to show a truth and a requirement for all who will be citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven. One must have “childlike faith.” A little child has unwavering faith in what his father or mother tells it. He or she, doesn’t doubt or question what it is told. It does not have a thought about how great it is, or will be. Its humility of faith in the father or mother is evident. This is a requirement for Israel to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We say Israel because there will be those who are invited in, and they had no idea of what they had done to deserve entrance into it. (Matthew 25:31-46).

The second requirement is that of conversion. This is not the same as what we call “born again.” Conversion is a returning to the Lord. The Lord said to Peter, who had been a disciple for, at least, three years, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22:32. A Christian gets saved once, but he may be converted many times. Peter preaches that if Israel will return to the Lord, or “be converted” that their sins would be blotted out at the return of Christ to establish His Kingdom on earth. (Acts. 3:19).

Thus, instead of answering the Disciples question, Jesus told them the two requirements to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 1. Childlike faith. 2. Conversion.

 

^{JESUS PAID ALL REQUIRED TAXES #44}

^“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.  Matthew 17:24-27.

As we consider the subject of taxes, it is important to understand that two different tax systems are discussed in the gospels. One was a temple tax, the other was a tax to the Roman government.

 

On their way from the Mount of Transfiguration, someone approached Peter and ask if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter’s response was that He did. A tax was required by Old Testament Law to care for the temple. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.” Exodus 30:11-16.

When they came to Peter’s house, the lord ask Peter a question before any other subject could come up. The word “prevented,” means that Jesus spoke before Peter could say anything. The question and its solution reveals many wonderful truths. It meant that the Old Testament Law was still very much in force. Jesus would pay the temple tax, not because He had to, but to fulfill all righteousness, and set an example to others. The kings of the earth did not collect taxes from their own children. They collected taxes from their subjects, or strangers. Since God was the Father of Jesus, He was a son, and not required to pay the temple tax. Nevertheless, He paid them.

Because He valued the Law, the temple, and the purpose for which it served, He voluntary paid the tax.  The ministry of the temple required large sums of money. Among many were the expenses for the Priest themselves. It should be noted that, although much of the temple service was corrupt, Jesus still paid His tax.

In the command to catch a fish that would have a coin in its mouth, with which to pay the tax, we see the omniscience of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter would never forget that miracle, and it would strengthen his faith for the turn of events that were soon to happen, that is, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. Two lessons were learned. One, the importance of setting a good example to others, and that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

 

JESUS CONTINUES TO REVEAL TO HIS DISCIPLES HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION 

 

“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” Matthew 17:22-23.

 The Kingdom of Heaven had been rejected as offered by John the Baptist, the Twelve, and Jesus. In this second section of Matthew, Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for his personal rejection and crucifixion. This is the second time He mentions it in this new section. The first is in 16:21. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Matthew 16:21.

This truth is more significant than most think. In fact, few notice it, and those who do fail to understand the momentous truth because tradition has blinded them to it. First, this means that the gospel that had been preached by John, Jesus, and His disciples could not have been the same gospel we preach today. They had no clue that He was to die, and when He began to make it known, they really did not hear what He was saying. Secondly, John’s baptism had no connection or relationship to His death. His baptism had an interlay different meaning than the baptism of believers today. John’s baptism was the baptism of repentance, and its purpose was to make the Messiah known to Israel.

There was not one word in the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, by anyone, concerning His death, burial, and resurrection. Scripture is abundant on this fact. Luke makes it so clear that a third grader could understand it. Luke 18:31-34.“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”  Most Christians, and pastors are as blind to this truth, as the Disciples. We will forgo the mountain of evidence on this subject, except for one text by the Apostle John. “For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead.”  John 20:9.

There is nothing in Matthew’s gospel that remotely suggest a Baptist church, or a Gentile church of any kind. All in the first half is about the King and the Kingdom of Heaven being offered The last half is about the rejection and suffering of the King.  The church, which was a mystery, and unknown until revealed to Paul, finds no place in the Kingdom of Heaven earthly ministry of Christ.