Day 295. 22nd October Bible Commentary With Dr. Toyin Ojo Taken From The Book Of Matthew, Mark And Luke.
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL STAFF
MATTHEW 201-16
WORKING IN THE VINEYARD;
Jesus illustrates the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven and the generosity of God by comparing it to working in the vineyard, where the landowner hires laborers into the vineyard for a daily wage. Those hired at 9am,12noon, 3pm, and 5pm near the closing time all received the official daily wage for laborers. Those who had been hired in the morning “grumbled against the landowner.” v.11. But he stated the agreement between them and his right to be generous with his finances.
“Take your pay and go … Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ v.14-15.
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” v.16 Jesus stated.
We must therefore as believers be very open and receptive of converts into the fold.
MARK 1032-34, MATTHEW 2017-19, LUKE 1831-34
JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH as he led the way to Jerusalem with his disciples and followers. He told the twelve he will be handed over to the Gentiles; he will be humiliated and killed.
- 34a-b “mocked, flogged, and crucified” but “three days later he will rise.” v.34c
MARK 1035-45, MATTHEW 2020-28
SERVING A LIFESTYLE
The sons of Zebedee James and John two of the twelve disciples want to sit on the right side and left side with him in his kingdom. (Mk1037). In fact, Matthew 2020 states that they went with their mother who made the request on her knees.
Jesus explained, that the positions sought is of the father to designate.
To all the disciples to be less desirous of power but they must be eager to serve. Authority and power are what the Gentiles seek; so they abuse their subjects.
MATTHEW 2029-34
This is the story of Two Blind Men that cried out loud saying “Lord, Son of
David, have mercy on us!” v.30
At this time he was leaving Jericho with his disciples. As usual, the crowd followed him and they would shut the blind men down. But they cried louder. And Jesus responded to their call, he talked with them and “had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” v.34.
MARK 1046-52, LUKE 1835-43
Near Jericho a blind man named Bartimaeus sat by the roadside
begging “when he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!” Mk 1047.
The crowd could not refrain him. “Jesus stopped and said ‘Call him’.” v.49. Jesus asked him what he wanted and he answered “Rabbi, I want to see.” v.51
“Jesus said ‘Go your faith has healed you’. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” v.52.
- Life couldn’t have been worse for blind Bartimaeus and many others with disabilities then, as there were no privileges for those with special needs, a large majority had to sit by the roadside and gates to beg for coins. Many countries now have priorities for those with special needs. Beyond rules we should stop when required – Jesus Christ is our role model as Christians
LUKE 191-10
ZACCHAEUS THE SHORT AND EAGER SOCIALITE – a chief tax
collector climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. (v.2-4). Apparently, the crowd at this time was a constant in Jesus' ministry and presence.
“When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today. So he came down immediately and welcomed him gladly” v.5-6.
Oh! the crowd criticized his decision to stay with a sinner (a tax collector). But that led to his conversion; as he gave half his possession to the poor and restored those he had cheated [over charged/scammed] four times more! (v.8).
Jesus listed him immediately among the Sons of Abraham - the elect! Because he came for the lost sheep.
“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'.” v.9-10.
- Compare Zacchaeus heart and pursuit of Jesus to that of the rich man in yesterday's story (Mk 1017-31, Mtt 1916-30, Lk 1818-30) - We could therefore be able to access our lives -scored card- as believers. The things of God are not as abstract as they seem.
LUKE 1911-27
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL STAFF
“While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return’. ” v.11-12.
The man appointed ten of his servants and entrusted ten (10) minas (the equivalent of three months' wages) to each of them for investment while he travelled aiming for rulership in a certain country. He faced hate in the country where he sought to rule but eventually succeeded. He got back and the staff reported various levels of success.
The first had ten (10) more mina, and he put him in charge of 10 cities. The second had made five (5) more mina and he put him in charge of five cities. The other hid the mina and refused to invest (Read his idle and bitter thought v.20-21).
His master thought the worst he could have done was to put the money in the fixed deposits to earn him some interest rather than hide it.
The mina was taken from him and given to the servant who earned him 10 more mina.
They were all surprised and then he explained his decision –
“…I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” v.26. His haters were also executed.
NIGHT:
What do you see as a disadvantage? Life sometimes seem unfair but those who are enthusiastic and who love like Zacchaeus will overcome and become listed as Sons of Abraham! Luke 199.
© Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Get the book: Toyin Ojo Bible Commentary on Amazon.
amazon.com/author/oluwatoyin-emiola-ojo
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