The Disciples’ Instruction on the Greatness of Servanthood

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).