Matthew 20: 20-28 (The Message) 20 It was about that time that the mother of the Zebedee brothers came with her two sons and knelt before Jesus with a request.
21 “What do you want?” Jesus asked.
She said, “Give your word that these two sons of mine will be awarded the highest places of honor in your kingdom, one at your right hand, one at your left hand.”
22 Jesus responded, “You have no idea what you’re asking.” And he said to James and John, “Are you capable of drinking the cup that I’m about to drink?”
They said, “Sure, why not?”
23 Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you are going to drink my cup. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. My Father is taking care of that.”
24-28 When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.”
Oh boy, I have been praying, struggling with writing this blog for let’s see an hour and 40 minutes. My mind has been everywhere. I’d like to start at the end (verse 28) - I definitely am one of the “many held hostage” in this world of ours. However, I’m glad I’m held hostage, in fact I rejoice, for it reminds me of how truly amazing Jesus is, how he gave his life so that I can break free of ANY BONDS AND CHAINS, yes ANY, that this world can throw me. Yep, doesn’t matter - hurt, disease, helplessness, selfishness, anxiety, worry - the Blood of my Christ covers it all, for He came to serve - Jesus is the ultimate servant. Thank You, Lord!
As I read these verses, I think how similar the world I live in is to the world Jesus lived in. I so want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, yet I so often fall into the trap of trying to take control myself. I get jealous or judgemental of others asking for things I don’t think they should. This world is definitely as broken as Jesus’s earth was, BUT...then comes the “Redefining”, as Pastor put it - It is NOT going to be the same with us, with me. Whoever want’s to be great to enter the Kingdom (reign) of God must be a servant, a slave. That means humble myself, that means no self-righteousness Cindy, no whining or complaining, that means truly receiving God’s Redefined Kingdom - the one Jesus died for and acting as Jesus did. Hmmm, I so want to try - help me Lord!
Lord, I thank You, that You “interupt” my life and turn it upside down, inside out. For then I can see You more clearly, I can see the way You would have me live. I can see the hope I have in Your Kingdom, Your Reign, Your Greatness. Continue to show me how to live in that place, how to ignore worldly things and attitudes. For You are the one true God, help me to erase all other gods and to receive Your Love and Life, Jesus every single day. I love you!
cindy