Read Matthew chapter 20.  The “Laborers in the Vineyard” is an easy story to tell, but a more complex parable to unravel. The master hires folks at daybreak, nine o’clock, noon, three o’clock, and even five o’clock and then pays them each the same wage.  This grates on our sensibilities and we are quick to join those last in line to be paid – the ones who showed up first, get paid last, and get paid the same thing – and we want justice! Jesus turns to us and asks,” are you envious because I am  generous?”  Where do you need to practice generosity with another person today?

Read Matthew chapter 19.  Jesus returns to the theme of becoming like a child in today’s reading.  He also challenges a rich young ruler to seek God’s perfection by paying attention to the one thing he was attached to … his riches.  What one thing is keeping you from following Jesus and finding your citizenship in the kingdom of heaven?

Read Matthew chapter 18.  Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).  Take time this week to be in the presence of children.  Play with them, read with them, let them read to you, let them instruct you again about being a child.  Children often ask “why” for what seems like hundreds of times in a day and then later as adults we almost never ask “Why?”  What change is God asking you to make this week in your life?  Why is God asking that of you?

Read Matthew chapter 17.  In the story of the Transfiguration we encounter two Jewish heroes, Moses and Elijah. Moses was the leader called by God to deliver the children of Israel from their Egyptian oppressors – a story remembered each year in the Passover Feast.  Elijah was the prophet who stood
up to the priests of Baal and a seat is reserved at the Passover Feast for his eminent return.  In the presence of these harbingers of God’s deliverance, a voice from the cloud says of Jesus, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).  Where do you need to listen to
Jesus today?

Read Matthew chapter 16.  In Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Son of God, we reach a turning point. From here the action leads inevitably to the cross. In fact Jesus tells his disciples that if they follow him they must take up their cross.  Folks in that time and place would be only too familiar with this execution device, since it was used by Rome to frighten the people into compliance.  Following Jesus is not something to be taken lightly.  While we may not be asked to die for God, we are asked to give up our life, our old life and take on a new life in Jesus Christ.