Healthy expression of anger is something we all can struggle with and it is the unhealthy expression of anger that this verse warns us against.
The Ultimate Verdict
Spirit Insight
To See and Be Seen
Choosing to be Last
Godly Reminders
Open Our Eyes, Lord
The Scriptures say Jesus was moved with compassion. Picture his concern, his tenderness as he gazed upon them. Reaching down, Jesus touched their eyes, and IMMEDIATELY they regained their sight. “And followed him.”
We can only ponder how joyfully the two men joined the crowd that had tried to silence them, the crowd that now heard their shouts of praise. Jesus had healed them, and their lives would never be the same. Not only had the blind men’s eyes been opened, their hearts had been stirred.
What does Today have to do with the: Laborers in the Vineyard?
In my technology job, we are encouraged to do more and more with Artificial Intelligence, and give feedback on how useful and accurate its information was. But I have found one of the most interesting uses is asking AI what the current day is known for.
Today June 20th is known for American Eagle day, Vanilla Milkshake day, and National Ice Cream Soda day.
This specific June 20th is also known as Palindrome day, since when you write it out: 06202026 it is the same forwards as backwards.
If we look at: Matthew 20:1-16 NASB
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and to those he said, ‘You go into the vineyard also, and whatever is right, I will give you.’ And so they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He *said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
“Now when evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, starting with the last group to the first.’ When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. And so when those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day’s work and the scorching heat.’ But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go; but I want to give to this last person the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ So the last shall be first, and the first, last.”
The last verse there telling us the last shall be first, and the first shall be last, is like a palindrome, since the first and the last are equal.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
That is why the first workers are treated the same as the last workers.
Happy Palindrome day!
©Vivian P. Kirkpatrick, 2026
Dark Night of the Soul
The Truth Will Set You Free
Morning is Coming
When No One Notices
Lost and Found
Sheep get a bad rap. They are often characterized as dumb, but they are far from it. Sheep can remember human faces and differentiate between them. Sheep are herd animals, and the fact that they rely on following the herd, or the sheep in front of them, contributes to the mischaracterization of their lack of intelligence.
Boldness
Conspicuously absent from Jesus’ choice of disciples were the prominent religious leaders of the day. He chose fishermen and tax collectors over theologians. Peter and John were not trained scholars, but they were in no way infer to the religious “professionals.” Noted for their boldness, what set them apart was not education, but association. Time with Jesus had transformed them so deeply that it was visible to others. Their boldness didn’t come from personality but from proximity to Christ.
Three Areas to Consider Your Conduct
Jesus says in verse 35 that “if anyone would be first, they must be last and a servant of all”. This reminds me a little bit of John F. Kennedy’s line, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. Being a good citizen means that you are not just looking out for your own needs but looking out for the welfare of those around you. How can you help build others up, and how can you protect and advocate for others? Those are questions a good citizen might ask.
Strengthen Ourselves In The Lord
The Big Picture
The Pharisees were very much concerned with the letter of the law. Now I believe we should strive to understand scripture, but sometimes I can allow my views on specific doctrines or practices to overshadow others. We need to be striving to see the big picture and get to the spirit behind the words of scripture.
What is Most Precious To Me
The Unwritten Rules
Think of your time attending church. Growing up, there were probably some things you were told not to do (running in the sanctuary) that don’t appear anywhere in scripture, but people were passionate about it (you’d better dress up for church). Some churches have certain ways of doing things: Do you take the Lord's Supper weekly, monthly, or quarterly? Do you use grape juice or wine? Who can pass out or pray over the emblems? Is it sacrilegious to have a guitar on stage? Maybe you’ve moved from your childhood church, or maybe you’re like me and have moved many times. Things are different at your current church, right? So, who is right and who is wrong? Or are different ways of doing church equally proper?