Everyone Can Serve Series

Show video clip of Hoosiers when the coach is talking to Jimmy about using his gift to play basketball.

Jimmy had a gift but he refused to use it and the team suffered. Later in the movie when Jimmy joins the team, the team goes from average to a championship contender and Jimmy is much happier.

This morning I want to have that same conversation with you. Part of your stewardship is your service to others. I’m inviting you to join the team this year as we seek to take Jesus Christ to our neighbors and strengthen Christians in their relationships with Jesus Christ. Who knows what victories we might win this year, and I do know you will be much happier in your Christian life.

Matthew 20 is in the section in Matthew’s gospel where Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem where he will be crucified. Before Jesus arrives, he has a conversation with his disciples about servanthood. Two disciples ask Jesus to give them the prominent places on his left and right when He comes to power. The other disciples are angry with James and John’s blatant grab for power and prominence.

Jesus uses the occasion to teach his disciples that they have the wrong understanding of leadership in His kingdom. The world measures leadership by how many people serve us. Jesus says He measures leadership by how many people we enable and empower to serve God. It’s interesting that our word minister, which simply means helper, has become a badge of honor and power in the religious and political world.

The story that follows, which is our text for the sermon, is a contrast to two disciples that demand privileges. Here are two beggars that plead only for mercy. Jesus turns down the two disciples, but he grants the request of the two beggars.

The crowd tries to hush the beggars. Perhaps they feel that it is inappropriate to interrupt the Son of David as he is on the eve of his triumphant entry. However, Jesus illustrates what he was teaching his disciples. He came to serve not be served.

Matthew 20:29 records:

(29) As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. (30) There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” (31) The crowd demanded that they keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”

(32) Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

(33) “Lord,” they said to him, “open our eyes.” (34) Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed him.

What do we need to do to have a servant’s heart?

I. SLOW YOUR PACE.

It appears to be a simple fact, “Jesus stopped” (v. 32). He is facing the last week of His life. He’s on His way to Jerusalem where He will be crucified. There’s so much to be done before He departs. Currently, He is a religious celebrity. Many people want His attention. Many want to just be near Him. The last thing He needs is to deal with a couple of nobodies. He does what no one in that crowd would have done if they were in His place. But, if you are going to serve in the church or anywhere else, it will require a significant decision. You will need to slow your pace.

Some years ago, two Princeton University psychologists, John Darley and Daniel Batson, decided to conduct a study inspired by the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. They met with a group of seminarians, individually, and asked each one to prepare a short, extemporaneous talk on a given biblical theme. Then, they were to walk over to a nearby building to present it. Along the way to the presentation, each student ran into a man slumped in an alley, head down, eyes closed, coughing, and groaning. The question was, who would stop and help?

Darley and Batson introduced three variables into the experiment to make its results more meaningful. First, they asked each seminarian on a questionnaire why they chose to study theology. Did they do it to find a means of personal and spiritual fulfillment or were they looking for a practical tool for helping others in everyday life? Then they varied the subject of the theme the students were asked to talk about. Some were asked to speak on the relevance of the professional clergy to the religious vocation. Others were given the parable of the Good Samaritan. Finally, the instructions given by the experimenters to each student varied as well. In some of the cases, as he sent the students on their way, the experimenter would look at his watch and say, “Oh, you’re late. They were expecting you a few minutes ago. We’d better get moving.” In other cases, he would say, “It will be a few minutes before they’re ready for you, but you might as well head over now.”