September 8, 2022

Matthew 20:20-28 (HCSB)
Suffering and Service
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something. 21 “What do you want?” He asked her. “Promise,” she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to Him. 23 He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” 24 When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you 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—a ransom for many.”

Brandon Hill
Isn’t it just like our moms to think that we are the best at something? That’s what makes moms so great. No matter our flaws or blemishes or imperfections, a mom thinks that her babies are the greatest. However, this mother’s request was beyond her understanding of who Jesus was or exactly what His full purpose was. It included her two sons also. I had never really paid attention to the fact that in vs. 22, Jesus asked a question, and the answer came from the two sons. This request didn’t just come from a mother, but also from her two sons. They were present with her, so we can assume there was a discussion ahead of time about this request. I find it interesting that Jesus doesn’t condemn the brothers for their request. He simply lets them know they don’t understand what they have asked, and that those places of authority are beyond their abilities. Sometimes I think we avoid situations like this because we fear self-pride. God intends for us to strive for greatness… Just be sure to strive for it in His name and not your own.