All That Jesus Taught (Bible Study – 61 of 80) - Zac Poonen

Summary

In this script, Jesus' teachings from the Gospel of Matthew are explored, emphasizing humility and the difficulty of the wealthy entering the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to illustrate the point. The lesson extends to the reward for service, where Jesus teaches that true greatness lies in serving others selflessly, not seeking honor or position. The script warns against seeking rewards for service to God and highlights the importance of humility, as exemplified by Jesus' own life and teachings.

Takeaways

• 📖 The lesson from Matthew 19:23-24 is that it's difficult for the rich, not just materially but also in terms of intellect, beauty, or position, to enter the kingdom of God due to the pride that often accompanies such wealth.
• 🐫 The camel and the eye of the needle analogy illustrates the improbability of the proud entering the kingdom of God, with the camel representing pride and the needle's eye symbolizing humility.
• 🙏 God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, emphasizing the importance of humility over self-importance or wealth.
• 🔄 The disciples' reaction to Jesus' teaching about wealth and the kingdom of God shows their struggle with the concept of giving up everything for spiritual gain.
• 🤔 The parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) teaches that those who serve without expectation of reward are often the ones who will be exalted by God.
• 👑 Jesus' response to the mother of James and John about positions of honor in the kingdom underscores the danger of seeking spiritual rewards for personal gain.
• 🔁 The principle of 'the last will be first and the first will be last' is a recurring theme, highlighting the reversal of human values in the kingdom of God.
• 🙇‍♂️ Humility is a key characteristic for those who wish to be great in the kingdom of God, as exemplified by Jesus' own life and teachings.
• ✝️ The cross and Jesus' sacrifice are central to understanding the Christian faith, with Jesus' humility and service being the model for all believers.
• 🛐 Service to God should be motivated by gratitude and love, not by the expectation of receiving honor, position, or reward, either on earth or in heaven.

Q & A

What is the main teaching of Jesus in Matthew 19:23?

In Matthew 19:23, Jesus teaches that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing that wealth in various forms can lead to pride, which hinders one's entry into God's kingdom.

Why is it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

The comparison is used to illustrate the point that pride, often associated with wealth, makes one 'big' and therefore unable to pass through the narrow gate into God's kingdom, whereas humility allows one to 'enter in'.

What does Jesus mean when he says 'with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'?

Jesus is emphasizing that what may seem impossible for humans, such as overcoming pride or wealth's allure, can be achieved by God's power and grace.

How does Jesus respond to Peter's question about the reward for leaving everything to follow him?

Jesus assures Peter and others that those who leave everything for his name's sake will receive a hundredfold in this life and inherit eternal life.

What is the significance of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard as told in Matthew 20?

The parable illustrates that everyone who works for the kingdom of God, regardless of the duration of their work, will receive the same reward, highlighting the principle of God's generosity and the futility of comparing oneself to others.

Why did the first laborers grumble when they saw the last laborers receive the same wage?

The first laborers grumbled because they felt they deserved more for their longer hours of work, failing to recognize the generosity of the landowner and the grace of being employed at all.

What lesson does Jesus teach about service and reward in the context of the parable of the laborers?

Jesus teaches that service to God should not be motivated by the expectation of reward but rather by gratitude and love for what God has already done.

How does Jesus' response to the mother of James and John reflect his teaching on humility and service?

Jesus' response shows that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving others and not seeking positions of honor or authority.

What is the connection between humility and the ability to drink from Jesus' cup as mentioned in Matthew 20?

Jesus implies that while James and John may be willing to share in his suffering (drink his cup), the ability to do so comes through humility and not through a desire for honor or position.

What does Jesus mean when he says 'whoever wishes to become great must be a servant'?

Jesus is teaching that true greatness and leadership in the kingdom of God are found in those who serve others selflessly, reflecting his own example of humility and service.