Do Me a Favor…
Opening Prayer
Humble Lord, thank You that You were willing to endure the shame of the cross. Help me walk in Your way.
Read Matthew 20:17-28
[17] Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, [18] “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death [19] and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” [20] Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. [21] “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” [22] “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. [23] Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” [24] When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. [25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do you see as the way to achieve greatness?People have always sought status and power. All around us are examples of people who exploit both, just as James, John and their mother did (21). Jesus must have been frustrated with the disciples for misunderstanding the sort of king he would be and how his kingdom would come (22). They had overlooked Jesus’ prediction of his death (17-19) and concentrated on his kingly glory. The other disciples were annoyed with James and John (24). Probably this was because the brothers had gotten in first with their request!Jesus redirects James and John to the way his kingdom will come. It won’t be achieved through glorious acts of heroism but through unimaginable suffering (22). In the Old Testament the picture of a cup describes the wrath of God and the suffering it brings (Psa. 75:8; Isa. 51:22). Jesus turns the disciples’ understanding of leadership and authority (24-27) upside down. In his kingdom, greatness is achieved through serving others (26). Jesus shows (28) that he did not come to demand service but to offer the ultimate act of service in giving his life for many. What a model of servanthood!
Apply
Jesus did not tell the disciples to stop seeking greatness; he gave them a new way to do so. Write about these things.
Closing prayer
Lord of love and life, give me desire for the greatness that has true value in Your sight and the courage to pursue it.
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