April 29, 2022 -- Matthew 20:20-28 -- untitled

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:20-28 ESV

Talk about a proud, pushy mom—she’d give soccer moms and pageant moms are run for their money. The mother of these grown men, the sons of Zebedee, is pushing her sons forward completely oblivious to what Jesus is doing and blind to the implications of what she is asking. She is kneeling before Him, the Suffering Servant, and asking that her boys have a guaranteed short-cut to thrones, exalted thrones, for all eternity.

The meek and truthful response Jesus offers is evidence He is the Messiah, Master of His emotions, tongue and Lord every situation. He exposes the folly of this woman, the prideful complicity of the men to their mother’s request (note that Jesus asked them, James and John if they thought they could suffer like He suffers and would suffer). Jesus leaves the question hanging in the air. Readers of the Gospel according to Matthew know how this turns out.

All the disciples will abandon Jesus—it is not just Peter who betrays Jesus, each one at the Garden of Gethsemane proves their need for a Savior. After the resurrection, these sons of Zebedee do not have confidence Jesus is risen from the dead. They prove they are not able to drink the cup that Jesus drinks. In fact, no follower of Jesus past, present or future can endure all Jesus did to bring many sons and daughters to glory!

Dear people of the Father, you are made sons and daughters by the blood of Jesus, the Suffering-Servant, now King of Glory. How often we want short cuts. We would serve Jesus, but we want it to be easier, quicker, and have more guarantees which the efforts of others, but not on our own efforts and exhausting exertions.

To the sons of Zebedee, and to you and me, Jesus replied to all people's yearnings for a quick and easy path to glory, cutting off any hope for a Christian life of ease—the path of service given unto Jesus Christ is one of serving, giving, and pouring out one’s life in obedience to the Living God. Jesus knew He was giving up His life and serving even to the point of death. He knew He was pouring out His life, in full obedience to the Father, and doing so among those who did not understand. He served though His followers have an inflated view of self and a great disrespect for the others, even others for whom Jesus died.

It is the path of Jesus’ suffering which wins for believers the crown of glory. It is the work of the Spirit to humble the hearts of believers before Jesus. The Word of God exposes the folly and the pride of Christians and pulls from our lips the confessions of our vanity and false pride. Delight in this, fellow-Christian, the Savior, meek and mild in responding to soccer moms and boastful sons is patient in bringing you to completion in His full salvation. This Jesus is also fierce in His protection of your life. At the cross He disarmed the hosts of hell. His Father is the wall of fire surrounding His people. The Spirit is the deposit guaranteeing your eternal salvation. Triune God will bring you safe to His presence. In view of this, go, and serve Your King!

Who is a god like You?! Your steadfast love, O God of Heaven's armies, is beyond description! King Jesus, Mighty Savior, Suffering Servant, Desired One of all Nations, blessed be Your Name now and forever more. Equip us Spirit of God, to abase ourselves, emptying ourselves of all pride so that the flood of grace which flows from the throne of Jesus Christ may cleanse us and renew in us joy-filled, obedient service. Amen.

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