The Depths
Welcome back. Now we are getting into the heart of the Gospel as we read Matthew 20–21.

When I began reading, I saw we were already in “red letters,” meaning Jesus is speaking. I wanted the context of what He was saying, so I backed up to the end of Chapter 19 and saw that He is speaking of “when all things are renewed” (Matthew 19:28). Therefore, He is speaking of heaven.

Jesus is in Perea, outside of Jericho. The elevation of Jericho is 846 feet below sea level — one of the lowest places on Earth, over 500 feet lower than Death Valley (−282 feet).¹ He is about to leave here and walk uphill through rough terrain to Jerusalem, a 17-mile journey that climbs over 3,300 feet. A difficult trek under any circumstances — but Jesus knows He is going there to die.

If you were in that situation, what would you want to tell your friends?

Jesus, because He is God, focuses on three elements: fruit, faith, and follow-through.
The Vineyard
We hear of the workers going into the fields (Matthew 20:1–16). The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (cf. Luke 10:2). What we learn is that it isn’t about how long you’ve been serving Jesus, but whether you are with Him in the end. “Blessed are those who endure to the end” (Matthew 24:13).

Times will only get harder for Christians. We’ve seen an increase in resistance — now escalating to public attacks and even assassinations. This is to be expected. The Bible assures us that “if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).

But even if you are late to join, it is worth it — because heaven is the destination. As I’ve stated before, the destination is not the reward. The reward is an eternity in the presence of our Lord.
The Fig Tree
We see the fig tree, which is cursed (Matthew 21:18–19). It was doing what fig trees do — just being a tree. But it was not fruitful. We are called to be in the field harvesting. When we are not living fruitful lives, we stand as obstacles to others.
True Faith
As Jesus completes this arduous trek into Jerusalem, we hear the blind men calling out for Him to have mercy (Matthew 20:30–34). He asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (v. 32). Today, someone might respond sarcastically — “Well, we want to see, duh!” But they respond with reverence, acknowledging Him as Lord and then asking for their sight.

They want to see Jesus. Because they honor Him, He returns the honor and gives them their sight. This is faith in action — recognizing His Lordship before making a request.
Entitlement
His disciples had just heard the parable of the workers, but still asked for a position in heaven (Matthew 20:20–24). They felt entitled because of how long they had been with Jesus — missing the point of His teaching.

So He tells them: “To sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23). Each of us who believe has a place waiting for us. But we must seek Him in faith.
Follow Through
Faith is not just lip service. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). There are many who will say they served Him, but He will say He never knew them.

If we are not being faithful and following our words with actions, we are missing the point. Being in the fields, serving others for His sake, is a part of our faith. Works do not save us (Ephesians 2:8–9), but works are proof of true faith (James 2:17).
The Crowd
Even though the crowd is chanting “Hosanna!” and laying out their cloaks and branches (Matthew 21:8–9), they are still asking, “Who is this?” (Matthew 21:10). The crowd is not always where you want to be — “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14).

It’s not just about praising Him with your lips — but enduring with Him to the end.
The Call to Action
In the next few chapters, we will see His disciples’ faith tested. We will watch Him suffer for our sins.

Today, we need to ask: Are we working for Jesus? Are we being fruitful, or just hanging with the crowd?

Reach out and help others. Show them the love of Jesus. Share with them the way to know Him and serve Him.
Tomorrow, we will read Matthew 22-23.
Footnote
¹ “Elevation of Jericho and Death Valley,” BibleHub and Wikipedia, accessed September 2025.