Saturday 25 July 2015
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
“Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (vv. 26-28)
Psalm: Psalm 126
Background
The mother of the sons of Zebedee comes to plead their case asdeserving of a place at Jesus's side when the kingdom comes. At onelevel, perhaps, this appeal on behalf of their zeal forrevolutionary/religious change is some reward for their loyalty andhardship. Jesus' first response is to ask her and her sons whetherthey really understand what this might mean in terms of theirsacrifice (verse 22), but then he takes it further saying that eventhe value of martyrdom is not what is at issue here (verse 24).
There is no pride in sacrifice, death or conflict, but whosoeverbecomes the most humble, becoming a servant to the others. The lastshall become first in God's sight.
To Ponder
- These words of Jesus are so well known and yet turn ourunderstanding of the worldly view of worth and excellence on theirheads.
- How open are you to these 'kingdom values'?
- And honestly, how difficult do you find it even to deny a senseof pride of being ever more humble than someone else?