The Gospel of Matthew
Mamma "Z"
Matthew 20:17–28 (ESV)
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
A Mother’s Request
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
1. “Approach” We can learn to approach respectfully
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.
She knelt/bowed respectfully.
“This is life eternal, that you know God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”
She worships and acknowledges Jesus as Lord
“There were also many women there, looking on from a distance,
who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to Him.” [Matthew 27:55-56]
They have been taking care of I think, the physical needs of Jesus. Who is this group?
“… Among whom were Mary Magdalene. And then you have Mary, the mother of James and Joseph. And then you have mother of the sons of Zebedee.”
“There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James the younger and of Joseph and Salome.” [Mk 15:40]
“…. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome,
bought spices so that they might go and anoint Him.” [Mark 16:1]
Jesus is lord, do I treat Him as Lord?
2] “Ask” Largely
Jesus already said they would be rulers. Momma “Z” wanted more
“Say that these two sons of mine are to sit one at Your right hand and
one at Your left in Your Kingdom.” [Matthew 20:21]
“… when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me
will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28
Jesus does not rebuke the request
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Matthew 18:1
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4“
“If anyone would be first “… he must be last of all, and servant of all.” Mark 9:35
“Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”. Amy Chua
Ask largely for the right things. Why not?
3. Act – Serve Selflessly
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
“…are you able to drink the cup that I am able to drink, or I am to drink?” Matthew 20:22
Momma “Z” didn’t fully understand what she was asking
Martin Luther King “Anyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” “You want to be great in my Kingdom? Good! It's found in service.”
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20:28]
Listen carefully to what Jesus says in response to our prayers
Momma “Z”, James and John suffered and kept serving
