March 13, 2024
Jesus Teaches About Serving Others
Matthew 20: 20-28
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.”
REFLECTION:
Jesus was gracious with James, John and their mother. She was seeking glory for her sons, but God’s kingdom is different. To be on the stage doesn’t mean you get to have all the fine trappings of life, it can actually be quite the opposite. It can mean suffering, working hard without thanks, without glory and so on.
APPLICATION:
I have to ask myself if I am seeking the glory or the story. Am I worshiping God to adore or get more? Why am I doing what I do?
PRAYER:
Lord, first I thank you for having mercy on me, having mercy on us. I ask that you would align my motives with your will and not my own. Help me, help us not to serve for the glory man gives, but for the building of the kingdom. Align our will with your will. In Jesus name. Amen.