Daily Bible Reading “Go Work in my Vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-16)

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Deborah H. Bateman

Go Work in my Vineyard

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 20:1-16. In this Scripture, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like this story about a man who went out to hire people to work in his vineyard. He made an agreement with the laborers to work for a penny a day (which was considered a day’s wages during that time). Can you imagine working for a penny a day?

The man went out again at the third, sixth, ninth, and eleventh hours (9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.) and found others standing in the marketplace and told them to go work in his vineyard and he would pay them whatever was right.

At the end of the day, the vineyard owner calls to his steward and tells him to call the laborers and give them their hire, beginning with the last ones he hired to the first ones he hired. All of the men received a penny.

When the steward got to the first man, he complained because he thought he should receive more, but the owner of the vineyard told him that he received what they agreed upon. The owner tells him he has done him no wrong: “Is your eye evil, because I am good? The last shall be first and the first shall be last; many are called, few are chosen.”

Every soul is precious to God, whether they have been saved for twenty years or two days. Everyone who is saved will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What if God gave us what we deserved?

The Bible says the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Has God called you to work in His vineyard? What can you do? What can you contribute? If you are not sure, ask God to show you how He can use you to further His kingdom.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 20:1-16

1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Things to think about:

How is Jesus pictured in this Scripture?

Do you find it strange that those who were hired last were paid the same as those who were hired first?

Of what is this Scripture representative?

What does the Scripture mean when it says, “The last will be first and the first will be last?”

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture which lets us know that every soul is precious to You. We thank You that You are not a respecter of persons, but You love us all equally. Help us to be more like You and not be looking at what everybody else is doing, but only be concerned with our relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love You, LORD. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. – Matthew 20:1

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ

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Christian Video: The Parable of the Laborers

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The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman, which takes you through the life of Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament of the Bible. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ and His birth.

The Book of Matthew also goes into Jesus’ ministry on earth, including the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ parables, and Jesus’ final days, including His death, burial, and resurrection. The book concludes with the great commission.

The Book of Matthew: Life of Jesus Christ includes fifty-seven daily devotionals which contain a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions to think about, and a prayer of the day. It is a great book for individual daily devotions or a group Bible study.

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Daily Bible Reading “This Baby was Jesus” (Matthew 1:18-25)

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Deborah H. Bateman

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Matthew 1:18-25. Since it is Christmas I thought it only fitting to talk about the real meaning of Christmas, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. While we do all the things we do during this holiday season to celebrate, let’s keep our focus on what the real reason for the season is. It is not about decorating the tree, shopping and wrapping presents, family gatherings, baking goodies, or anything else that we do to celebrate, it is all about HIM!

Let’s go back to the beginning, when it was first discovered that Jesus Christ was going to be born into this world through a miracle of God. The Scripture we will look at is from Matthew 1:18-25. Matthew tells about the birth of Jesus.

Mary was a virgin, chosen by God, to be the mother of Jesus. It was a miraculous birth, because Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Think about how Mary must have felt when she found out she was expecting a child. She never had a physical relationship with a man. Mary was engaged to Joseph, who was a just man. At first, Joseph thought he should put her away privately so as not to make a public example of her.

But, the angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and confirmed that Mary had conceived of the Holy Ghost. He told Joseph, Mary was going to have a son and they should call him JESUS. Can you imagine how Joseph must have felt when he had that dream? He was engaged to a woman who was expecting a baby that was not his. Then, he had this dream saying it was conceived of the Holy Ghost. How was he going to explain this to his family and friends?

The angel also told Joseph that JESUS would save his people from their sins. This was the purpose of JESUS’ birth, from the beginning; God allowed JESUS to be born as a human in order to become the Savior of the world. He used Mary, as an instrument through which Jesus was born, so He could live a sinless life in this world and ultimately so He could be the sacrifice for our sins. Think about the responsibility that Mary and Joseph must have felt. God chose them, they didn’t volunteer.

This baby was different from any other baby that had ever been born into this world. He was the Son of God. He was the Savior of the world. He would grow up and be crucified on the cross. As we celebrate Christmas let’s remember the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate the one whose birthday we honor.

Daily Bible Reading:

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Things to think about:

Can you imagine how Mary felt when she found out she was expecting a baby?
Can you imagine how Joseph felt when he found out his fiancé’ Mary was going to have a baby even though they had not had a physical relationship?
Think about the miracle God performed when He caused Mary to be expectant of the Holy Ghost.
Do you celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this account from Matthew about the virgin birth of Your Son, JESUS. Thank You for sending Him to the earth to be our Savior. As we celebrate Christmas, help us to keep our focus on the true reason for the season. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Christian Music: This Baby by Steven Curtis Chapman
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