IVP New Testament Commentary Series – They Refuse to Let Others' Priorities Deter Them (20:31)
Resources chevron-right IVP New Testament Commentary Series chevron-right Matthew chevron-right THE FINAL JOURNEY (19:1-22:46) chevron-right The Price of Jesus' Mission (20:17-21:16) chevron-right Persistent Prayer (20:29-34) chevron-right They Refuse to Let Others' Priorities Deter Them (20:31)
They Refuse to Let Others' Priorities Deter Them (20:31)

The crowd already "following" Jesus (vv. 29, 31; compare 8:1; 19:2) did not want a figure of Jesus' caliber to be interrupted by a beggar. Many probably wanted him to get on with the business of setting up the kingdom they hoped he would establish (21:9). It is easy for us to want to get on with "ministry," with what we suppose are the agendas of the kingdom, and forget that God's agendas demand that we serve people in need (20:28; compare 19:13). We must exercise sufficient faith in our Lord's authority and concern so that no one else's impatient dismissal of our need will hinder our dependence on God (compare 8:7; 15:24-26).

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