Wednesday, June 8

Wednesday

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.  Jesus called them together and said,  “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  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.  -  Matthew 20:24-28

Why were the other ten disciples upset with James and John?  What were they so mad about?  Was it because they felt that James and John were way out of line to ask such a question?  Was it because they were more mature in their understanding and would never have asked such a thing?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,  “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  - Matt. 18:1

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  – Mark 9:34

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.  – Luke 9:46

Apparently this was an ongoing dispute among Jesus’ followers.  Clearly the disciples were not indignant with James and John because they were above asking the question.  They were probably just irritated that James and John and their Mommy beat them to it!

How does Jesus respond to this whole incident?  He doesn’t get angry with them.  He doesn’t condemn them for being so petty and foolish.  The text says that calls them all together.  Jesus saw this fundamental misunderstanding among his followers as an opportunity, as a teachable moment.  I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to say that it is a teachable moment for us as well.  We too frequently misunderstand the fundamental message of Jesus.  We too need to be drawn aside and taught by the Master what it means to be great in God’s eyes.

What a lesson for them and for us. The great men and the great women in God's Kingdom have always been those whose lives were marked by humble service, never the self-seekers, the glory seekers, those who sought to be lifted up to the prominent place. But always those who serve God with a heart of selfless humility.

When Jesus says, “whoever wants to become great among you”, some have questioned, "Well, isn't Jesus sort of accommodating a very ungodly ambition?  I mean, for Jesus to say if you really want to be great, do this. Isn't that to acquiesce to someone's ambition? I mean, is it really right to want to be great?  Is it right to seek a reward? Is it right to want to be a leader?  Is it right to be rewarded and seek that?  Is it right to seek exaltation?" 

This is a good question…

First of all, we have already seen that greatness in God’s eyes means sacrifice, humility, suffering, and service. This is a radical redefinition, a complete reversal of the concept of greatness in our culture.  So, to seek “greatness” is to seek to be a humble servant!  Secondly, the New Testament is full of references to the rewards we will receive for living faithful lives.  Paul talks about our crowns, which we will lay at the feet of King Jesus someday!  Jesus Himself refers to the rewards our Heavenly Father will give us when we seek Him.

It is not wrong to seek glory in eternity. It's not wrong to seek exaltation. The Lord has given us that as a goal. It's not wrong to seek that, it's only wrong to seek it for the wrong reason. It's only when your motive isn't right, when like James and John, you seek it so you can lord it over the others, or you seek it so you can be more esteemed than others in this life, or you seek it so that you can have for yourself greater authority, greater power, greater comfort. It's not wrong to seek it, it's wrong to seek it for wrong and selfish reasons.

Perhaps the greatest example of “greatness” in the Bible, other than Jesus Himself, is John the Baptist.  John was developing quite a reputation as a fiery preacher and his popularity and influence were growing rapidly in the region of the Jordan River.  When Jesus came on the scene, He began to attract large crowds and many of the people who used to follow John the Baptist were now following Jesus.  Some of John’s disciples were upset about this and wanted John to do something about it.

They came to John and said to him,  “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan — the one you testified about — well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”  - John 3:26

To this, John replied simply, He must become greater; I must become less. - John 3:30

That’s it!  John understood that the whole point of his greatness and influence was to point to the greatness and glory of Christ! 


Jeff Frazier