The Heart of a Servant
What does it mean to be called into servanthood according to Jesus? Even the disciples had trouble understanding what it truly meant.
The Sons of Zebedee and Servanthood
Matthew 20:20-28 says,
“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 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.’ 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.’ 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.’ And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 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. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
As parents, we want the best for our children. That goes without saying. And yet, we don’t always know what that is. Is it power? Position? Respect? Authority? That’s certainly what James and John’s mother thought. James and John were the sons of Zebedee and were disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Kingdom Not of This World
Though Jesus taught His disciples that His kingdom was not of this world, they wouldn’t fully understand until His death and resurrection. And neither would the general population—including this mother who asked the Lord if her sons could occupy the positions to Jesus’ left and right when He established His kingdom. These were positions of great authority and this loving mother was seeking the best for her boys.
Just an interesting aside . . . when Jesus answered, He addressed His disciples, not their mother. I have to wonder if James and John had discussed their desire for power and position in their mother’s hearing—maybe even requesting she speak to Jesus on their behalf. Maybe not. I just found it curious since Jesus would have known if this was the case.
Servanthood
But not one of them would have made this request if they’d known what it truly meant. And Jesus hinted at this when he asked,
“Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”
Not knowing what lay ahead, they assured Him they could.
To make matters worse, when the other disciples got wind of the request, they were not at all pleased. In fact this passage says they were indignant.
A Band of Companions
You have to remember that this band of companions went everywhere together. Therefore, they spent a lot of time with one another. We likely all know how awkward that can be if one or more travelling companions don’t get along. Not fun!
To a lesser extent, James and John’s mother stirred things up among the disciples. But even more, she was actually asking the Lord Jesus if her sons could suffer for His kingdom, though, of course, she didn’t realize it at the time.
But like on so many other occasions, the Lord took this day-to-day occurrence as an opportunity to teach His followers, including us, a lesson about the spiritual kingdom He had come to establish. He also used it as yet another opportunity to point to His death and resurrection.
He said,
“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Servanthood in the 21st Century
Even Christians in the 21st century find it difficult to accept just what a privilege it is to serve others. Though there’s nothing wrong with seeking a promotion at work or applying for what we would refer to as “a better job,” we are called upon to do our best wherever we are. We are called to see things from a different perspective, God’s perspective.
And as always, Jesus didn’t simply sit back, wag His finger, and instruct His followers how to live. Instead, He walked among us, rubbed shoulders with society’s outcasts, and was tempted as we are. Plus, He taught not only in word but also in deed how we are to live. He set the Ultimate Example in all things.
What’s Best For Our Children
So, how should we weigh what is actually best for us and for our children?
1. Does whatever it is honour God and bring Him more glory than it does us?
2. Will we be in a position to serve others?
3. If we are in a position of leadership, will we lead graciously, in a way that points others to the Lord?
4. Will we look to God regularly, humbly thanking Him for the opportunities to serve that He brings our way or will we, in some way, say to the world, “Hey, look at me! Look at me!”
5. Will our endeavours further the gospel or will they further our own agenda?
Let’s be honest, ask God to purify our motives, and pursue what is truly best—from God’s perspective—for ourselves and our family.
How do you find ways to be a servant of God? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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