Matthew 21:23  says, And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?  This time, the chief priests and elders came to Jesus, not to learn from Him, but to question His authority.  I believe that the chief priests and elders thought that they were the authority, and they had not authorized Jesus to teach or anything else.  There are some religious leaders today that think that all authority is theirs, and some that even think that they control the salvation of all who worship under their authority.  The church, as an earthly organization, will never control salvation nor the service of a person called by God to fulfill His purpose.  In verse twenty-four Jesus said, And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.  Jesus said that He would ask them one question, and if they could answer it, then He would tell them by what authority He did the things He was doing.  The chief priests and elders thought they could accuse Jesus of acting without authority, but as they found out, we are never smarter than God.  All they had to do was answer one question, and that is really all anyone has to do to be saved.  The question we have to ask in order to be saved is whether or not Jesus, with the authority of the heavenly Father, came to provide the one and only way to salvation, with faith without wavering.  Though this was not the particular question that Jesus asked them, I believe that Jesus already knew that the chief priests and elders did not believe that He was the Messiah.  Verse twenty-five says, The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?   Jesus asked the chief priests and elders if the baptisms that John the Baptist preformed were of God or of man.  In other words, were they willing to acknowledge that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ, or was he simply a man acting under his own authority.   The chief priests and elders were unsure what to answer.  First, they said that if they said John the Baptist was sent by God, then they would have to answer why they don't believe him.  Then verse twenty-six states, But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.  They then reasoned that if they said that John the Baptist was not sent by God, then they would upset a lot of people who felt that he was a prophet sent by God.  That is the same question everyone has to ask about Jesus.  Is Jesus the Savior of the world, or is He just some man.  We cannot base our answer on what other people think, but must base it solely on our own faith.  Verse twenty-seven declares,  And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  The chief priests and elders, the religious leaders of the day, could not answer Jesus' question because they weren't looking to God for the answer.  Jesus said since they couldn't answer His question, then He wouldn't answer theirs, which was by whose authority was Jesus doing His works.  Until we accept that Jesus is indeed Who He says that He is, we cannot hope to understand how God works in the world.  Just like the chief priests and elders, we can never discredit God by our own reasoning powers, but must simply come to Him through faith in Christ.

Matthew 21:18 says, Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.  The next day, Jesus returned to Jerusalem, this time without all the crowds preparing the way.  We are told that Jesus was hungry.  We either have to accept that Jesus was just as human and subject to all the physical needs and temptations as anyone who has ever lived, or we have to deny that He is the Messiah.  If Jesus only kept from sinning because He was unable to sin, then we have a false salvation.  Jesus had to fulfill the law through faith in and obedience to the heavenly Father, not because He was incapable of temptation.  Verse nineteen states, And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.   Being hungry, Jesus went to a fig tree and found it barren.  He then declared that no fruit should grow on it again, and the fig tree withered and died.  I don't believe that Jesus did this out of anger.  The purpose of the fig tree was to bear figs, and the tree was not living up to its purpose.  A fig tree that doesn't bear figs is useless.  I believe that Jesus was using this opportunity to teach the disciples about bearing fruit.  Their purpose, and ours as followers of Christ, is to bear spiritual fruit for Him.  If we do not, then spiritually we will wither and die.  This does not mean that we are suddenly unsaved, but that we are spiritually unproductive, or barren.  If someone comes to us spiritually hungry, we must be ready to feed them with the gospel.  Verse twenty says, And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!  The disciples marveled at how quickly the fig tree withered away.  If we are not fulfilling Christ purpose for us today, our usefulness in His kingdom may just as quickly fade away.  Verse twenty-one says, Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.  Once more Jesus told the disciples about the power of faith, and that power did not end with the disciples, but is still there for us today.  This type faith, to wither a fig tree or move a mountain as Jesus told the disciples they could do, comes with a big"if."  Jesus told the disciples if they had faith and doubted not that they could move mountains.  I also believe that this type faith will never ask for anything that does not glorify God.  Even with the greatest of faith, if we are acting to bring honor or riches to ourselves, I do not believe that God will honor our faith.  Even if we somehow are successful and receive the honor and riches of the world for ourselves, we will not have been successful through the blessing of God.  This is not a name what I want and claim it promise.  This is a promise that with an unwavering faith that we can accomplish anything that God calls us to do, so that He might be glorified.  Verse twenty-two states, And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  As just stated, this has to be in accordance with God's will and to glorify Him.  True prayer seeks God's will and not our own desires, as was demonstrated by Jesus' prayer in the garden.  I don't believe that we can ever make this about God giving us everything we want simply because we have faith that He will.  Not everything that we want brings glory to God.

Matthew 21:10 says, And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?  Jesus's entry into the city moved the whole city.  The people of the city wanted to know what all the commotion was about and Who Jesus was.  We today need to be proclaiming Christ in such a way that lost people will want to know Who He is.  Verse eleven states, And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.  The people now professed Jesus simply to be a prophet from Nazareth.  I believe that until they were asked this question that they were seeing Jesus as more than just a prophet, but now that they had to tell others Who Jesus was, all they were willing to say was that He was a prophet from Nazareth.  This made Jesus no more than any other prophet.  Some people today feel the need to prove by physical evidence that Jesus indeed lived as the Bible states, but ultimately we must simply accept Him as Savior and Lord by faith.  Some concede that Jesus was a great Prophet, but this is not enough.  We must proclaim Jesus as Savior and then allow Him to be the Lord of our lives if His death, burial and resurrection are to have any effect on our lives.  Verse twelve states, And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,  Jesus had the multitudes following Him, but now He began to upset their worship, which had become profitable to them.  The temple had become a place of merchandising instead of a house of worship.  We must be careful today that we don't allow material things to come between God and us, especially in the church.  Verse thirteen says, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Jesus reminded the people what the scripture said about the temple, or God's house.  It was intended to be a place of prayer, but the religious leaders had turned it into a den of thieves.  This was those who were supposedly the religious leaders of God's chosen people who were corrupting worship.  When we gather together in God's name, we need to make sure that we are doing so in a way that honors Him.  Verse fourteen states, And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.  People were still coming to Jesus for physical healing, and He was healing them.  Still, this was not the primary reason Jesus came.  Jesus came to bring spiritual healing.  Even if God heals us of all our physical ailments, if we do not profess Christ as our Savior, then it is only a temporary healing.  Verse fifteen states, And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,  Then, once again the chief priests and scribes saw what was happening with Jesus, and they were very displeased.  We would think that when religious leaders saw wonderful things happening and people worshipping that they would be happy, but they were angry instead.  I believe that this was because their position, and their own self-righteous, was being threatened.  Hopefully, if we as Christians see great things being accomplished for God today we will join in the praising, and not be angry because God is working through someone else to accomplish these great things.  Verse sixteen says, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?  The chief priests and scribes again questioned Jesus, asking if He didn't hear what the people were saying.  The people were pronouncing Jesus to be the Son of David, or the Messiah.  Jesus once more referred the chief priests and scribes to the scripture.  If they had really been the religious leaders that they professed to be, then they would have recognized Jesus for Who He is.  The scripture will always point us to Christ, some looking ahead the to His coming the first time, and some looking back on His having come and ahead to His return.  Verse seventeen states, And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.  Jesus left the people who were praising Him and the chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem and went to Bethany and lodged there. Most of the crowd were following Jesus for the wrong reasons, and the scribes and Pharisees were totally defiant, so Jesus left.  Jesus is not going to be in the midst of those who attempt to make Him into someone that He is not, no matter how many are gathered together.  If we want Jesus in our midst, where even two or three gather, then we must acknowledge Him for Who He is, our Savior and Lord.

Matthew 21:1 says, And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,  Jesus was nearing Jerusalem, but He stopped at Bethphage and the mount of Olives.  Then, He sent two of His disciples into the city.  In verse two, Jesus said, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.  Jesus told them the reason for the trip.  When God sends us somewhere, it is always for a purpose.  We simply need to listen to Him to know what it is.  The disciples were to find an ass, or donkey, and a colt with her, and they were to untie them and bring them to Jesus.  Although Jesus had told them what to do, the disciples had to have faith in Him to do it.  They could have been arrested for stealing the animals.  When we know beyond a doubt what Jesus has instructed us to do, we simply need to do it.  Verse three states,And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.  Jesus may have understood that the disciples would be apprehensive, so He told them if anyone asked why they were taking the donkey and colt, to tell them that the Lord needed them and they would soon be returned.  God is never going to send us out to simply take what belongs to another person.  If it is something necessary to accomplish His work, He will make our use of it okay.  Verse four says, All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,  Once more, this was to be the fulfillment of a prophecy.  Matthew did not sit down and write this as it was happening, but wrote it looking back on the events and could easily see the fulfillment of this prophecy.  Sometimes, we may not see the full extent of what God is doing through us until we step out in faith and look back later at what He has done.  Verse five says, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  As the scripture foretold, Jesus was not coming as a conquering King on a mighty steed, but as a meek Servant sitting on a borrowed donkey.  We can never allow our expectations of Christ to prevent us from seeing Who He really is.  Even on a borrowed donkey, Jesus was the one true King.  Verse six states, And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,  Even if they may have been apprehensive, the disciples went and did what Jesus told them to do.  I cannot say for sure that they were apprehensive, but I can say for sure that if God calls us to do something that we feel apprehensive about, that as long as we are certain that it is what God is telling us to do, then we must simply obey Him.  Verse seven says, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.  I believe that one way that the disciples knew that what Jesus told them to do was okay was because they evidently found the donkey and the colt as He had said they would, and they brought them to Him.  I believe that we likewise will find that when God sends us to do something, we will find proof that He is indeed in charge of our going.  They used their clothes to make it more comfortable for Jesus, just as we must use what we have today to make it easier for the gospel to be shared.  Verse eight says, And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.  The multitudes made the road itself smoother, with clothes and tree branches, but they still did not really know Who Jesus was.  They were caught up in following Him for material reasons.  There are people today who are happy to proclaim Jesus as their Savior as long as everything goes well in the world.  Verse nine declares, And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.  The multitudes were going before Jesus proclaiming Him to be the Messiah and calling Him blessed.  I believe that part of the problem was that they were going ahead of Jesus and attempting to make Him into what the wanted the Messiah to be, instead of following Jesus and understanding Who He really is.  We can never get ahead of God if we are to be true followers, and we can certainly never attempt to make Jesus conform to what we want Him to be instead of Who He is.

Matthew 20:29 says, And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.  After Jesus had taught the disciples what it meant to follow Him, they were once again on the move.  As much as we might want to simply sit and learn from Jesus, after we spend our time alone with Him, He expects us to be go out into the world and share the gospel.  Great multitudes were still following Jesus as He was on His way to His ultimate destination, which was Jerusalem.  The multitudes were still following for material reasons and not spiritual ones.  When we follow Christ, it must be because of our spiritual relationship with Him through our faith in Him.  Verse thirty states, And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.  Two blind men sitting by the wayside heard that Jesus was passing by and cried out for Him to have mercy on them.  When we first encounter Christ, we are like these blind men, sitting helpless by the wayside spiritually.  The only way to be healed is to cry out to Jesus to heal us.  The only way to have our spiritual sight restored is through faith in Christ, and being spiritually blind is even more devastating than being physically blind.  Verse thirty-one says, And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.  Instead of having compassion on these two blind men, the multitude rebuked them and told them to be quiet.  We cannot afford to be guilty of keeping people from Christ simply because they are disturbing us.  Evidently the multitude around Jesus felt that they were entitled to control who came to Him or even called out to Him.  We, as followers of Christ, can never claim the right to keep anyone from coming to Him.  The blind men did not listen, but cried out even more loudly to Jesus.  When we do cry out to Jesus, no matter who may attempt to stop us from doing so, He will hear us.  We really don't even have to cry out louder, because Jesus will hear anyone who calls out to Him by faith.  Verse thirty-two says, And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?  Jesus asked the blind men what they wanted Him to do, although I am sure He already knew.  God wants us to make our needs known to Him, even though He already knows what we need.  Asking God and believing that He will deliver when we ask  according to His will expresses our faith in Him.  Verse thirty-three states, They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.  The two blind men answered that they wanted their eyes to be opened, or to be able to see.  They had faith in Jesus to restore their sight, but there was so much more that they could have asked for.  We are not told if they believed that Jesus was the awaited Messiah, or if they just saw Him as a great man of God.  Even if we come to Jesus because of a physical problem, our first request should be that He forgive our sins.  Verse thirty-four declares, So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.  Jesus had compassion on them, and restored their sight.  It does not say that He said that their sins were forgiven, but it does say that they followed Him.  We are not really told whether they followed Him by faith in His being the Messiah or just out of gratitude or curiosity.  When someone experiences a miracle in their life today, they may or may not accept Jesus for Who He really is.  To be truly healed, we must come to Jesus first asking for forgiveness.

Matthew 20:17 says, And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,  Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, and the twelve disciples were with Him.  Wherever Jesus leads us today, we must go.  I know that as followers of Christ the Holy Spirit is with us at all times, but we must still make sure that we are where God is leading us.  In verse eighteen Jesus proclaims, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,  Jesus was preparing the disciples for His coming betrayal and death.  Again, this is not what they were looking for from following Jesus.  They were still looking for Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom, in which they would have a big role.  We can never come to Jesus based on our own desires, but must come based only on His promise of salvation.  Verse nineteen continues, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.  Instead of setting up an earthly kingdom, Jesus said that He was to be mocked, scourged, and crucified, but that was not the end.  Jesus also said that the third day He would rise again.  Our focus should not be on the mocking, scourging, and crucifixion, though they were terrible, but on the resurrection the third day.  Verse twenty states, Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  The mother of James and John came to Jesus with certain demands on their behalf.  Though it is good for a mother, or father, to bring their children to Jesus, they cannot come making demands about how their children will serve Him.  Verse twenty-one says, And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.  Their mother, who was also looking for an earthly kingdom, wanted James and John to have positions of honor and power in Jesus' kingdom.  We can never feel that we deserve a special place in the kingdom of Christ, but must simply follow Him in obedience to His will.  Verse twenty-two says, But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.  Jesus answered, asking if they were able to suffer what He was going to suffer, though they may still not have understood what He was asking them.  We need to ask ourselves today if our faith will stand in the face of adversity.  James and John said they could, but still were looking for an earthly kingdom.  Verse twenty-three states, And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.  Jesus said that they would indeed follow Him in suffering, but that any position of honor in His coming kingdom was not His to give.  This right was reserved for the heavenly Father.  Jesus died to bring salvation to all who will accept it by faith, and this is really all that we are promised.  We cannot follow Christ simply because we expect to be rewarded for doing so, whether in this world or the one to come.  Verse twenty-four declares, And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.  When the ten other disciples heard what was being asked for James and John, they became angry.  We really should never become angry about what another Christian might ask of Christ, but should be satisfied with allowing Jesus to answer them Himself.  Verse twenty-five states, But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  Jesus reminded the disciples that the princes of the Gentiles had authority over the Gentiles, and that those princes who were greater exercised authority over the lesser princes.  That is the way the world works.  This was not based on a moral superiority of the princes.  In verse twenty-six Jesus says, But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  Jesus tells us that we are not to be like the Gentiles, seeking to be superior to other Christians.  Jesus tells us if we want to be great in His kingdom that we are to minister to those around us who are in need.  We do not follow Christ so that we can feel superior to anyone, but serve Him so that He may be glorified.  In verse twenty-seven Jesus continues, And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  I believe that this simply tells us that there is no room for self glorification in the kingdom of Christ.  If we begin to feel that we are somehow to be held in higher esteem than other Christians, then we are not following what Christ teaches us.  If we want to be chief among others, we are to serve them.  Even then, we don't serve others for our glory, but we serve them that Christ might be glorified.  In verse twenty-eight Jesus concludes, Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  Jesus once more attempted to get the disciples to understand His purpose.  Jesus did not come to be an earthly ruler by His power, though He could have.  Jesus did not come to force people to follow Him, but He came to minister to people and die  as a ransom for their sins.  We can never expect to be greater than Jesus, and somehow feel that those around us should praise us and place us in a position over them.  No matter our part in the kingdom of Christ, we are all equal in our relationship to Him.  There should be no one who feels that we have to come through them to get to Christ.

Matthew 20:1 says, 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.  In this parable, Jesus would be the householder.  The early morning could be the time when Jesus first began His ministry and those who followed Him the first laborers.  I believe Jesus was saying more than that though, and that the first laborers would be those that accept Him as Savior and Lord early in life.  Verse two states, And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  These laborers agreed to work for a certain amount.  When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we agree to work for a certain price, and that is forgiveness and everlasting life with God.  This is all that we are promised.  Verse three states, And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,  Three hours later, the householder saw people standing idle.  Until we accept Christ into our lives, no matter how busy we may be in the world, we are standing idle before God.  Verse four says, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.  These laborers, who started later, were only promised that they would be paid what was right.  Even if we start to follow Jesus and work to advance His kingdom later in life, we can be sure that Jesus will always be fair with us.  In verse five Jesus says, Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.  The householder went twice more, at the sixth and ninth hour, and hired others to work for the day.  I believe that one other thing that we can determine from this parable is that today is the only day that we can be certain that we have to work for Jesus, so no matter how late we start, we need to be at work.  Verse six says, 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?  Toward the end of the day, the eleventh hour, the householder found others standing idle, and asked them why.  When Jesus comes to us, no matter how late in the day, or in our lives, if we are not doing His work, which first requires accepting Him as Savior and Lord, He may ask why we are standing idle.  Verse seven states, 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.  Until we accept Jesus, there is no way to be employed in His kingdom.  After those who were hired first, there was no specified amount stated as the wages that those who were called later would receive.  When we come to Jesus, He does not specify what material rewards we may may receive.  We must simply follow Him and be at work for His kingdom, no matter how early or late in life we may start.  Verse eight states, 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.  Jesus says that the householder had the laborers called, and paid them from last to first.  The householder could have paid them in the reverse order, from first to last, and sent them away before the next group was paid, but he was not doing anything in secret.  I believe that this is a statement that Jesus never promises more to one person than to another and then secretly rewards one above the other.  The gospel message is the same for all.  Verse nine states, And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.  Those who started late received the same pay as those who started early in the day.  No matter what point in our lives we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are all promised the same reward, and that is everlasting life with God.  Verse ten declares, But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.  Those who started first expected more, but received the same pay.  We cannot expect a greater reward simply because we come to Jesus early in life and work longer sharing the gospel.  The only reward, or pay we are promised is everlasting life with God, and this is the same for everyone, even those who accept Jesus late in life.  Verse eleven states, And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,  Jesus said that those hired first, even though they received what was promised, murmured against the householder.  We must be careful that we never murmur against anyone who comes to a saving knowledge of Christ late in life.  We cannot afford to feel that we are somehow cheated by working longer for Christ.  The only promise we have for accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord is everlasting life with God, and we should never murmur when someone else accepts salvation. Verse  twelve continues, 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.  The complaint of those who were hired first was not that they hadn't been paid what was promised, but that they expected more.  When we work for Christ, it should be for His glory and not for our own reward.  Verse thirteen says, But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?  Jesus said the householder asked those first hired if he had done them wrong, or if he had paid them what he had promised.  No matter how long we may serve Christ, all that we are promised is everlasting life with God through our faith in Jesus.  We should never complain about anyone who receives the salvation of Christ later in life.  Verse fourteen declares, Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.  We, like the first hired, are to take what is ours, in our case salvation, and go our way satisfied.  That Jesus offers salvation to others should make us rejoice, not murmur.  Verse fifteen asks, Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  Jesus, like the householder, asks us if it is not lawful for Him to do what He will with what is His.  Salvation is a gift that can come from Christ alone, and He freely gives it to all who come to Him in faith.  If we begin to feel that we are more worthy or deserving of more reward or blessing than someone else who accepts Christ as Savior, then our thoughts are evil. Verse sixteen concludes, So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.  I believe that this refers to a person's attitude about their position in God's kingdom.  Those who through self pride feel that they should be first will be last, and those who serve with a feeling of unworthiness will be first.  Then Jesus adds that many are called, but few are chosen.  This is not because some are automatically lost, but because few put their faith in Christ.