Jesus' Kingdom Values: Service Over Status
Daily Scripture
Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus along with her sons. Bowing before him, she asked a favor of him.
21 “What do you want?” he asked.
She responded, “Say that these two sons of mine will sit, one on your right hand and one on your left, in your kingdom.”
22 Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink from the cup that I’m about to drink from?”
They said to him, “We can.”
23 He said to them, “You will drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom my Father prepared it.”
24 Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that those who rule the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 26 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 27 Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave— 28 just as the Human One [or Son of Man] didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Jesus kept talking about the Kingdom of heaven, his Kingdom. Weren’t “kingdoms” about power, about who held the most powerful positions? James and John (and probably their mom, though Mark didn’t mention her in Mark 10:35-45) thought they’d be smart and get their bid for power in before the other disciples. “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. In Heaven’s Kingdom, there is no status seeking. In my Kingdom, we serve.
- We know (as James and John did) what earthly status, power and privilege look like. Down deep, most of us would like to have at least some of those things. But Jesus’ teaching was emphatic: “that’s not the way it will be with you.” Jesus said he didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and even give his life. In what specific ways does choosing to follow Jesus change your approach to life and reshape your dreams and ambitions?
- Jesus told James and John, “You WILL drink from my cup.” James was the first apostle martyred (Acts 12:1-2). On the other hand, Christian tradition said John, serving and writing, lived for many years, probably longer than any other apostle. In what ways did John, as well as James, “drink from Jesus’ cup”? In what ways, if any, has your life so far called on you to do that?
Prayer
Loving Lord, I’m human. I have ambitious dreams and wishes. Keep reshaping me, making those ambitions into ambitions to serve you and others. Amen.
GPS Insights
Mikiala Tennie
Mikiala Tennie, who serves as the Student Discipleship Program Director with Resurrection Students, wrote today’s Insight. She has nearly 20 years of ministry experience and loves encouraging others in their spiritual journey. Mikiala is blessed to be an adoptive aunt and godmother to many kiddos and lives with her 10-pound Yorkie, KiKi Okoye Tennie.
As I was growing up, my parents always made it clear that our house operated differently than any other house on the block. There was no talking-back, any request of a parent was to be met with a “yes, mom” or “yes, dad.” We did not stay out all hours of the night. There was no TV watching on school nights. But most importantly, there was to be a mutual respect amongst family members. So even when we had disagreements as siblings, we had to handle them respectfully.
That lifestyle often stood out by the different ways I saw my peers interact with their families at sleep overs and birthday parties. I would be in a friend’s living room and hear them talk back to their mom or dad and immediately gasp wondering what swift consequences would follow. Sometimes I was so appalled at another’s behavior that if it happened in front of me, I couldn’t help myself. I’d elbow them and give a look that said, “Are you crazy, don’t talk to your mom like that!” They’d roll their eyes and sulk.
My parents ran a loving and encouraging home, but it was to be a respectful home, and our behavior was expected to reflect that. When us kids would travel away from home, my dad would give us a talk along the lines of, “when you leave this house, you represent this family, and you do not make this family look bad.” This concept stuck with me to the point that when I would take my former youth group on overnight trips, they’d hear a very similar speech from me. It’s always important to communicate the expectations to the group!
These memories came to mind when I was reading the story in Matthew 20 when two disciples are squabbling over which of them should have the highest status next to Jesus. Jesus is approached by the mother of these two disciples, and she asks that each of her sons be elevated to be Jesus’ right and left-hand men. When the other disciples hear what’s happening, they aren’t too pleased with the two brothers. Arguments ensue.
Jesus responds by pointing out how others might operate by lording power over others and ordering people around, but He makes a point to highlight a distinction. I’m paraphrasing, but Jesus basically said… “That may be how others interact with each other—but that’s not how THIS family operates. In this kingdom, greatness is measured by how we serve others, not how much power we wield over them. In this kingdom, where others practice selfishness, we practice sacrifice.”
Today, I pray that you remember your role in the kingdom based on the way Jesus described it. May we all reflect the values Jesus taught us and represent the Kingdom accordingly!
