Lessons on the Road to Jerusalem: Faith, Service, and True Discipleship Based on Matthew 20–21

Introduction

As Jesus embarks on His final journey toward Jerusalem, each step draws Him closer to the cross. Yet, He does not simply walk this path in silence; He pauses to teach, correct, heal, warn, and reveal the heart of God. Along this road, He encounters a diverse group of individuals and situations: the Pharisees, the rich young ruler, the mother of Zebedee’s sons, two blind men by the wayside, a fig tree without fruit, and a city that welcomed Him without truly knowing Him. Every encounter holds a vital lesson for disciples today, shaping their mission, attitude, and understanding of the Kingdom of God. Today, let us walk alongside Jesus, learning as He shapes us for service and discipleship.

I. The Parable of the Laborers—God’s Justice, Sovereignty, and Generosity

In Matthew 20:1–16, Jesus uses the story of a vineyard owner to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom. The owner hires laborers at different times throughout the day, yet at day’s end, he pays them all equally. The first workers—those who are prominent, religious, or experienced—complain about this perceived injustice. The owner responds, “Is your eye evil because I am good?” Here, Jesus teaches that God is sovereign and free to reward as He pleases. He is just, wronging no one, and generous, giving more than anyone deserves. God does not show favoritism; every believer stands by grace.

“Many are called, few are chosen.” All the laborers received the same reward, but those who surrendered self-ambition and passivity were honored above others. The challenge for believers is to labor in God’s vineyard rather than waste time. Some claim security in their faith without true assurance, doing church work instead of God’s work.

Consider this illustration: Two workers begin a job—one works all day, the other only one hour. Both receive the same wage, not because of their efforts but because of the agreement made. God’s rewards flow from His promise, not from our pride.

II. Ambition Corrected—The Mother of Zebedee’s Sons

Matthew 20:20–28 tells of the mother of Zebedee’s sons, who kneels before Jesus while seeking places of honor for her children. Jesus replies, “You know not what you ask.” Many prayers go unanswered not because they are evil, but because they lie outside God’s will, are rooted in self-promotion, or hurt others. The disciples feel offended, believing they have been overlooked.

Jesus explains that greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through service, leadership through sacrifice, and authority through humility. Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Picture a spotlight shining on a performer: behind the scenes are hours of sweat, pain, and discipline. Many desire glory but not the hard work it requires.

Ask yourself: Are your ambitions helping others or stepping on them? Are you seeking position or purpose? Are you willing to carry the cross behind Christ?

III. Jesus Heals the Blind Men—Faith That Refuses to Be Silenced

In Matthew 20:29–34, two blind men hear that Jesus is passing by and cry out, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” The crowd rebukes them, but they cry even louder. Their persistent faith unlocks blessing; some miracles are reserved for those who refuse to give up.

Even on His way to the cross, Jesus stops for two forgotten men, asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He heals them, and unlike others who received miracles and walked away, these men choose to follow Him.

Do not stop crying out when others try to silence you. Let the hunger of faith overpower the noise of the crowd.

IV. The Triumphal Entry—A Misunderstood King

Matthew 21:1–11 describes Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of peace. This fulfills Zechariah 9:9, which prophesies a humble King arriving in this way. However, the passage about salvation and victory awaits fulfillment at His second coming.

The crowd shouts, “Hosanna! Son of David!” but only identifies Him as “The Prophet of Nazareth.” The city celebrates Jesus, but does not truly know Him. He comes to His own, and His own do not receive Him.

People often admire great leaders publicly but deny them privately. The crowd loved the moment, not the Messiah.

V. Jesus Cleanses the Temple—The House of Prayer Becomes a House of Power

In Matthew 21:12–17, Jesus confronts idolatry by driving out the money changers and overturning tables in the temple. God despises anything that replaces Him in the temple. Today, our bodies are temples—what idols exist within us? Entertainment, desire, money, pride, and unforgiveness can hinder prayer.

After Jesus cleanses the temple, the blind and lame come to Him, and He heals them. A cleansed life becomes a powerful life. The strength of your prayer life is tied to the purity of your heart. Remove what is unclean, and God’s power will return.

VI. The Barren Fig Tree—A Warning Against Empty Religion

Matthew 21:18–22 recounts Jesus finding a fig tree with leaves but no fruit, representing Israel’s religious appearance without spiritual substance. He curses the tree, and it withers. The disciples marvel at the miracle but miss its meaning. Many admire miracles without understanding their message.

Jesus teaches that faith can move mountains, receive anything in prayer, and must be free of doubt. Ask yourself: Do I have religious appearance without spiritual fruit? Do I pray in faith or out of habit? Am I marveling at miracles or learning from them?

Conclusion: Five Truths from the Road to Jerusalem

1.       God rewards faithfulness, not prominence.

2.       Ambition must bow to the cross.

3.       Faith must persist despite opposition.

4.       True worship requires cleansing of the heart.

5.       A fruitless life invites judgment, but a faithful life invites power.

Call to Action

·         Enter the vineyard—start serving God now.

·         Lay down your ambition and pick up His will.

·         Cry out like the blind men—do not let anything silence you.

·         Clean the temple of your heart—remove idols.

·         Bear fruit worthy of repentance.

The same Jesus who walked toward the cross is walking toward you today—teaching, shaping, cleansing, calling, and empowering. Will you follow Him all the way to Jerusalem?

 

Paul’s Encouragement in the Midst of the Storm — Acts 27:21–25

In verse 21, Luke writes, “But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.”

Paul had remained silent for a long time as the storm raged. The people had ignored his earlier warning, choosing instead to trust human reasoning. Now, faced with certain destruction, they were finally ready to listen. This is often the way of man—only when disaster strikes do hearts become open to divine counsel.

Paul, standing in faith and calmness amid panic and despair, reminded them of their earlier mistake—not out of pride, but to emphasize the importance of listening to the Word of God. His rebuke was not meant to condemn, but to teach. If they had listened to him earlier, they would have been spared much loss. This moment serves as a timeless lesson: ignoring God’s wisdom always brings harm, but repentance opens the door to mercy.

In verse 22, Paul shifts from correction to comfort: “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”
Paul, though ignored before, now becomes their encourager. Many people in similar circumstances would gloat, saying, “I told you so,” but Paul’s heart was pastoral and compassionate. Instead of condemning, he consoles them. Even in the midst of chaos, Paul carries the peace of God. His words—“be of good cheer”—echo the very voice of Christ who spoke those same words to His disciples in times of fear (John 16:33).

This promise of survival was not born of optimism but of divine revelation. In verse 23, Paul explains the source of his confidence: “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve.”
Paul declares that the God to whom he belongs has sent His messenger to assure him of safety. For the Roman centurion and sailors, such a statement once seemed absurd. To them, Paul’s faith had sounded like superstition. But now, with their lives hanging in the balance, they are forced to listen to the man of God. The storm that silenced every other voice had now made room for God’s voice through His servant.

This angelic visitation reminded Paul of a previous promise given in Acts 23:11, when the Lord appeared to him, saying, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” God had already determined Paul’s destiny—he would reach Rome to testify before Caesar. No storm, no wind, and no force of darkness could prevent that from happening.

Paul also understood this in light of his unceasing prayers for the believers in Rome. In Romans 1:9, he wrote, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.”
Paul’s longing to visit Rome was not mere desire—it was a God-ordained mission. The storm, therefore, was not a sign of God’s absence, but a stage for His faithfulness to be revealed.

In verse 24, the angel’s message continues: “Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.”
This was a divine assurance—not only for Paul’s safety, but also for the safety of everyone on board. God had placed their lives under Paul’s spiritual covering. This shows that God often blesses others through the presence of His faithful servants.

Paul’s intercession had consecrated those around him. In a way, their survival depended on Paul’s relationship with God. Likewise, believers today have influence in their spheres of life—families, workplaces, and communities—where God’s mercy can flow through them. We are responsible for those within our reach; our faith and prayers can be the difference between chaos and deliverance for others. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

In verse 25, Paul boldly declares, “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”
This is the essence of true faith—believing that what God has promised, He will perform. Paul’s confidence is not in the calm of the sea, but in the certainty of God’s word.

As Luke 1:45 says, “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” When God gives a promise, He also ensures its fulfillment. The circumstances may appear impossible, but His Word stands above the storm.

Paul’s faith echoes that of Abraham, as recorded in Romans 4:20–21: “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.”
This is the heart of enduring faith—to be fully persuaded that God is able to do exactly what He has said. Many profess to believe in God, yet doubt His ability to act. True faith not only acknowledges that God exists—it rests confidently in His character and power.

Paul’s calm assurance amid the storm demonstrates that faith does not deny reality but transcends it. While others despaired, Paul stood unshaken because he knew the One who commands the winds and the waves. The God who promised Rome was the same God who now preserved the ship’s company for His servant’s sake.

So, in the darkest hour, Paul became the light of faith among terrified men. His words remind all believers that when we belong to God, our destiny is secure—no storm, no delay, and no opposition can hinder the fulfillment of His promise.