DAY #33: February 2, 2009 - Matthew 20:17-34

As the disciples followed Jesus toward Jerusalem, they knew He believed He would die—He had told them three times. What was to become of his Kingdom? Who would be in charge after his death? Among themselves, the disciples were arguing about this issue. Then the mother of James and John came to ask a favor of Jesus. She was apparently among Jesus’ regular followers who were not part of the Twelve. She was at the cross when Jesus was crucified. Some have suggested that she was the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Thus, she and her sons may have hoped that their close family relationship would lend weight to their request. Also, James and John were brothers who, along with Peter, made up the inner circle of disciples.

In ancient royal courts, the persons chosen to sit at the right and left hands of the king were highly honored. James and John’s mother wanted her sons to sit beside Christ in the most honored places in the Kingdom. They all understood that Jesus would have a Kingdom; however, until after the Resurrection, none of them fully understood that Jesus’ Kingdom was not of this world; it was not centered in palaces and thrones, but in the hearts and lives of his followers.

Jesus responded that in making such a self-centered request, they did not know what they were asking. To request positions of highest honor meant also to request deep suffering, for they could not have one without the other. Jesus asked first if they were able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow that he would drink. The “cup” to which Jesus referred is the same “cup” that he would mention in his prayer in Gethsemane. It is the cup of suffering that he would have to drink in order to accomplish salvation for sinners. Jesus’ “cup” of suffering was unique and only he could drink the particular “cup” that would accomplish salvation. Jesus was asking James and John if they were ready to suffer for the sake of the Kingdom. James and John replied that they were able to drink the cup. Their answer may not have revealed bravado or pride as much as it showed their willingness to follow Jesus whatever the cost. However, their desertion of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane revealed how unready they really were for what this “cup” entailed

Jesus said these two disciples would indeed drink from the cup of suffering.

James died as a martyr (Acts 12:2); John lived through many years of persecution before being forced to live the last years of his life in exile (Revelation 1:9). Although Jesus knew that these two disciples would face great suffering, this still did not mean that he would grant their request for great honor. Suffering is the price of greatness, but it is the price required to follow Christ at all. They would follow and they would suffer, but they would not thereby sit at his right and left in the Kingdom. Jesus would not make that decision; instead, his Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen. Although Jesus will distribute eternal rewards (2 Timothy 4:8), he will do so according to the Father’s decisions. Jesus showed by this statement that he was under the authority of the Father, who alone makes the decisions about leadership in heaven. Such rewards are not granted as favors. They are reserved for those whom God selects. Jesus didn’t ridicule James and John for asking, but he denied their request. We can feel free to ask God for anything, but our requests may be denied. God wants to give us what is best for us, not merely what we want.

The ten other disciples were indignant that James and John had tried to use their relationship with Jesus to grab the top positions. Why such anger? Probably because all the disciples desired honor in the Kingdom. Perhaps Peter, his temper getting the best of him, led the indignant ten disciples, for he had been the third with James and John in the group closest to Jesus. This probably seemed like a real slight to him. The disciples’ attitudes degenerated into pure jealousy and rivalry. Jesus immediately corrected their attitudes, for they would never accomplish the mission to which he had called them if they did not love and serve one another, working together for the sake of the Kingdom. So he patiently called his disciples together and explained to them the difference between the kingdoms they saw in the world and God’s Kingdom, which they had not yet experienced.

The Gentile kingdoms (an obvious example being the Roman Empire) have leaders who lord it over people, exercising authority and demanding submission (1 Peter 5:1-3). In Gentile kingdoms, people’s greatness depended on their social standing or family name. But Jesus explained that his Kingdom would be completely different. In a sentence, Jesus taught the essence of true greatness: Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Greatness is determined by servanthood. The true leader places his or her needs last, as Jesus exemplified in his life and in his death. Being a “servant” did not mean occupying a servile position; rather, it meant having an attitude of life that freely attended to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and realize that they’re not above any job. Seeking honor, respect, and the attention of others runs contrary to Jesus’ requirements for his servants. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them.

Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. A real leader has a servant’s heart. The disciples must be willing to serve because their Master set the example. Jesus explained that he came here not to be served but to serve others. Jesus’ mission was to serve—ultimately by giving his life in order to save sinful humanity. His life wasn’t “taken”; he “gave” it by offering it up as a sacrifice for people’s sins. A ransom was the price paid to release a slave from bondage. Jesus paid a ransom for us, and the demanded price was his life. Jesus took our place; he died the death we deserved.

Next, we see Jesus Heals Two Blind Beggars. Jesus and the disciples were on the way out of Jericho, continuing southward toward Jerusalem. The Old Testament city of Jericho had been destroyed by the Israelites (Joshua 6:20), but during Herod the Great’s rule over Palestine, he had rebuilt the city as a site for his winter palace. Jericho was a popular and wealthy resort city, not far from the Jordan River, about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem. These two blind men were sitting beside the road begging. The blind men heard that Jesus was at the head of an approaching crowd. In order to be heard above the din, they began shouting for Jesus’ attention. They had undoubtedly heard that Jesus had healed many and they hoped that Jesus would have mercy on them and heal their eyes. There were no healings of the blind in the Old Testament; the Jews believed that such a miracle would be a sign that the messianic age had begun.

The crowd tried to get the men to be quiet. It was most natural for the people, even Jesus’ disciples, to attempt to shield Jesus from being harassed by beggars. But this only caused the men to shout louder. They kept on crying out in an attempt to gain Jesus’ attention. Although Jesus was concerned about the coming events in Jerusalem, he demonstrated what he had just told the disciples about service by stopping to care for the blind men. Blindness was considered a curse from God for sin, but such an idea did not hinder Jesus. Because Jesus probably knew what the men wanted, his question was not to gain information, but to allow them to specify their need and, in the process, to declare their faith that Jesus could meet that need. The result of the blind men’s request was that Jesus touched their eyes and instantly they could see.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Every day, there is so much personal application possible from the reading directly for my life. Yesterday, I was moved by the disciples radical commitment to Jesus. Today, I am blown away by the immaturity and pettiness of the disciples. I'm pretty sure this is what drives people crazy about my own life. Good guy - sold out the the things of Christ, yet so freakishly petty and immature at times. Lord, forgive me. Help me be more consistent. Every day, help me die to myself and my desires. Help me to live the life you have marked out for me.

Moving on, I am deeply moved by the faith of the blind men. Persistent and courageous. They knew what they wanted - to see again. I love the question Jesus asks them - "What do want me to do for you?"

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
3 John 4 (NIV)


PRAYER

Lord, I want you to move in the hearts of our kids in a great way. Oh Lord, work in them and raise them up to make a significant difference with the lives you gave them. Don't let them settle for average in anything. Walk with them Lord. Build their character and grow their love for You.

Do the same type of work in the people of COV. Build genuine disciples who are sold out to you. Lord, provide for them. Make a way for them. Bless them. Birth within them today a desire to live for You and love You like never before.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27 (NIV)