Author: evangelist_breland

Matthew 20:24-28 (NKJV)

Believers have the right to come boldly to the throne of God, and make their requests known. Yet, our hearts must not be lifted up and prideful, seeking worldly position as the mother of James and John did. Our praise should be to the Lord for Scripture declares that no flesh should glory in his presence. The mother of James and John came with them to Jesus, requesting that he grant both of her sons positions of royalty in his kingdom – one on his right hand and the other on his left (v.21). Their request was bold, but selfish. It was carnal, not spiritual. They were seeking worldly position because they thought his kingdom of this world; they had not grasped the concept that his kingdom is eternal. Let’s not look at these two disciples sideways because all twelve of them wanted prestige and power. There were several occasions when Jesus’s disciples argued about which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of God.

 So when the other ten disciples heard this, they were indignant with the two brothers (v.24), and this resulted in Jesus teaching his disciples about how one achieves greatness in the kingdom of God.  He reminded them that the rulers of the Gentiles lord greatness over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them (v.25); that’s the world’s way, not God’s. That’s not how it was to be among them because the ways of man are not the ways of God. By man’s standards power and prestige make us great. In God’s kingdom “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (v.26). Jesus taught them that the path to greatness is humility. If we humble ourselves before God, becoming a servant to our fellow man, He will lift us up to greatness. “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (v.27). Jesus told them that the Son of Man did not come to be served; He came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many (v.28).

It’s been three and a half years that Jesus’ disciples have been under his tutelage, learning how to “make disciples” for the propagation of the gospel with all nations.  He is now approaching the end of his earthly ministry, and on his way to Jerusalem   predicts his death and resurrection the third time to his disciples. As followers of Christ, such a life-altering announcement should have stirred their hearts to put aside any selfish desires of theirs and focus wholeheartedly on him and his coming suffering. After all, the redemption of sinful mankind would soon be fulfilled through his death and resurrection. However, just as Jesus’s first disciples misunderstood much of what he taught them because of their carnal thinking, many of us misunderstand today because of our carnality. Even though they were his disciples, they hadn’t grasped the concept that his kingdom is eternal.

This is evident because the mother (Salome, Matt. 27:56) of Zebedee’s sons (James and John, Matt. 4:21) came to Jesus with her sons, kneeling as a posture of worship (v.20) but with a selfish motive. She requested that he would grant both of her sons positions of royalty in his kingdom – one on his right hand and the other on his left (v.21). All mothers desire the best for their sons, and we should, praying that God will keep them covered because the devil’s desire is to destroy them. Yet, we must not go before God’s throne with a prideful heart, seeking things that glorify us for “no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Cor.1:29); “he that glories, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Cor.1:31).

Notice the master’s response and to whom he responded; it was to her sons. They didn’t know what they were asking. Their interest was worldly because they had not yet comprehended that his kingdom was eternal. He symbolized his coming suffering as “the cup” and “the baptism.” His disciples had no idea of the magnitude of pain and suffering he would shortly experience for sinners. So their response to their ability to drink his cup, and be baptized with the baptism that he was baptized with was quick and thoughtless: “We are able” (v.22).

Jesus declared that they would suffer; all believers will. As far as granting the request to sit on his right hand and on his left, Jesus said it was not his to give, “but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father” (v.23). Jesus always work in union with the Father.

1 John 4:11-21

Love is an enduring attribute of God’s nature. First John 4:8 says that he who does not love does not know God for God is love. We are children of God so why are we struggling to love one another? We are the crown of God’s creation, made in His image for His glory and the fulfillment of His purpose. However, because of man’s fall from the perfect state in which God made him, while we were yet sinners, God manifested His love for us, sending His only begotten Son to sacrifice his life so that whoever believes and trusts in him as the Savior of the world will not perish, but have everlasting life. It is God’s will that we have a steadfast relationship of love with Him because that’s the only way we can love one another. That’s how we know that we abide in Him, and He abides in us.

 “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another (v.11). No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us” (v.12) because He has given us of His Holy Spirit (v.13). So then, why are we struggling to love one another? We confess to knowing God, and Scripture commands us to let love be genuine without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9). There’s nothing in the Father’s nature that we inherited at the new birth that causes us not to truly love one another.

God is not partial with His love, and He doesn’t want us to be either. He gives us the power to love one another because He first loved us (19). What about those of us who say we love God and hate our brothers and sisters? We are liars; for those of us who do not love a brother or sister whom we have seen, cannot love God whom we have not seen (v.20). God commands that we who love Him love our brothers and sisters also (v.21). Love is eternal because God is love.

1 Corinthians 15:58

My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ generations may have changed, but God’s desire for believers to be in a steadfast relationship of love with Him hasn’t. No matter what trials and tribulations we experience we are commanded to love Him totally. That’s how we demonstrate our trust in Him. Apostle Paul reminds us that “these little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Corinthians 4:17, CEV). The King James Version calls it “light affliction” that last “for a moment.” Yes, we will suffer, but James 1:12 says that the one who does not submit to wrong doing when tempted is blessed and will receive the crown of life God has promised to those who love Him. Keep in mind that His timing is not ours, but His time is the right time. He is an on time God for the accomplishment of His will so that He will get all the glory.

What are we to do? We are to remain steadfast, trusting Him to bring us through any situation. We are rooted and grounded in the Lord and are not to allow our circumstances to shake our faith and move us to turn from the hope of salvation. We must remain loyal to Him, always excelling and continuously giving ourselves to His work. We have the promise that our labor in the Lord is never in vain or without purpose (1 Corinthians 15:58, Amp). “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and into the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

After having wandered forty years in the wilderness, we have here a new generation of Israelites, and God commanded Moses to repeat the words of the Sinai covenant that God had made with them. This covenant was not made with their ancestors, but with them, who were all now alive that day. It began with “Hear O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Israel is reminded that their God is not polytheistic. He is unique in nature. They don’t have a different god for different aspects of life. He is the one true and living God, the Creator, Who sustains and governs all things.

God wanted His people to reciprocate a steadfast relationship of love with Him. He chose Israel as His people and never left them or forsook them. No matter how often they failed Him, He had steadfastly proved His love as their God, their provider, and protector. He miraculously sustained them both physically and spiritually as He rained manna down from heaven six days a week as they journeyed through the wilderness. What God did then for His children He is doing today – making a way out of what is impossible to man but possible only with God Almighty.

He commanded them to “love Him with all their heart, their soul, and with all their might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). This may seem as if it’s impossible for people who had been disobedient and fallen short of God’s glory many times just as we do today. Because God is merciful and forgiving, He still wanted their steadfast love – their total unbroken, unchanging love. He wants yours too. Will you commit to a steadfast love relationship with Him today? You have the promise of receiving His blessing.