Raising Servants

Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." 23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Salome, John and James’ mother, comes to Jesus to ask of Him what all mothers with a knowledge of Christ may desire to ask of Him, should they be so bold.

Apparently, Salome was that bold.

And it stands to reason, as Jesus had nicknamed her boys, “Sons of Thunder.” They had to have gotten that spirit from somewhere, and we see in this passage their mother is a likely candidate to have instilled that nature in her sons.

Now she asks Jesus to set her sons above all others in the kingdom of heaven. She understands it is “His kingdom,” and she senses His ability to install those He will where He will in His kingdom.

Jesus fends her off by teaching her the source of true greatness. While declaring this greatness of position is not of His design, but of the Father, Jesus goes further by declaring what is demanded of those who would follow and seek Christ’s greatness.

It would come at a high price. Discipleship would cost everything – and even then to be at His right hand and at His left was not something to strive for.

That which Jesus encourages us to instill in our children is a sense of servanthood. A desire for it. Servitude…for my son?

This is totally contrary to what most of us seek as parents. Can you imagine, (upon the birth of your child,) praying to God and asking, “Dear Lord, please make my son a servant?”

While it may be beyond our imagining, Jesus declares this is the source of greatness. Jesus says, “Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant.” Do you desire greatness for your child?

-Pastor Bill