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Chapter 20: "Not..to Be Served, But to Serve"

Zebedee's sons were two of Jesus' disciples named James and John (Mt 4:21).  They must have had fiery personalities from time to time.  The Gospel of Luke tells us how they wished to call down fire from the heavens upon some Samaritians (Lk 9:51-56).  Perhaps that is also why Jesus gave them the nickname, "Sons of Thunder" (Mk 3:17).   Their mother, Salome, accompanied her sons to ask Jesus a "favor." (Read more about  Her "favor" or request: that her sons sit at Jesus' right and left in his eternal kingdom.  Some favor!  You might think this was completely selfish and arrogant of them, but I don't think that is the case.  This request was motivated by their own desire for personal glory and honor in Christ's kingdom,  but they misunderstood the nature of that kingdom.  Their ambition to serve the Lord was misguided. 

Is our ambition to serve the Lord every misguided?  Does a spirit of competition rather than a spirit of cooperation ever prevail in your heart or mind about your service in Christ's kingdom?  Our sinful nature's urge us to grab the reigns of control.  Perhaps Satan compels us to use the world's authoritarian view of leadership.  It is in these words then that Jesus here reminds us too, "Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-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" (20:26-28).  Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8).  No matter what your talents or type of service, we focus on the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the humble Christ Jesus. 

In Christ's Humility, Pastor A.