Kingdom Rules of Generosity, Servanthood and Mercy

Matthew 20

I have to break from my ongoing thoughts on Genesis to comment this morning on our secondary daily reading from Matthew 20. What an awesome unfolding of the Kingdom of God dynamics of generosity, servanthood and mercy. The parable of the kingdom in verse 1-16 sets the theme for the rest of the chapter.

Firstly, we note that in God's Kingdom, the Generosity of God rules (v1-16).

This means that "the last will be first and the first last" (v16). God chooses to show His goodness and to be "generous" (v15), and in the end the "pay" is not about our works but His grace.

Secondly, we note that in God's Kingdom, the Servanthood of God rules (v17-28).

Meaning that "whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (v27-28). In God's Kingdom it is not about who is the greatest as it is in this world (v20-26). The pattern of serving even to the point of suffering, set by Jesus (v17-19, 28), must apply also to all the followers of the Suffereing Servant (v26).

And thirdly, we note that in God's Kingdom, the Mercy of God rules (v29-34).

When the poor blind beggars cry out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David", Jesus responds and grants healing (v33-34). He operates in a more compassionate spirit than the cruel, callous world (v31). Healing is what the blind men wanted (v33), and, by implication, healing is what Jesus also wanted to do for the sick (v34).

The question for us is, what do we want? And do we cry out for the mercy and healing of the Lord, the Son of David?