The Key to REAL Greatness
Matthew 20:20-28
April 27, 2008
NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING
FOR A CHANGE."
We: When we think of greatness, all sorts of things come to mind.
You might think of great men and women of history – Washington, Churchill, King, Helen Keller, and other such people.
You might think of great men and women of the church – Billy Graham, the apostle Paul, Martin Luther, and folks like that.
Or maybe you’re thinking more along the likes of famous movie stars like John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, or Charlie Chaplin.
These are all names we know and recognize – they were or are, great people.
Their influence on human history is undeniable.
And I think that deep down, all of us would like to have people recognize our names without having to read a name tag.
The world says that greatness is gained by fame and fortune. But our passage today gives an entirely different view of what greatness is really all about.
God: Matthew 20:20-28 (p. 697) –
We’re going to work our way through this passage and I want to show you a couple or three things that we can learn from the disciples and Jesus.
Before we read this I want you to remember that Jesus had just said He was going to be flogged and crucified.
This was the third time He’d told them this, so He’s hoping they’ll keep all that in mind as they get closer to Jerusalem where it will all happen.
And that’s the background as we pick it up in verse 20 –
20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 "What is it you want?" he asked.
She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22 "You don’t know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
"We can," they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
Let’s camp here for a bit.
This passage illustrates something that I keep telling people: that the Bible deals with stuff that you and I deal with all the time.
In this case, it’s two guys whose ambitions clouded the really important stuff.
You gotta admit – this doesn’t put James and John in the best light, does it? And now we’ve got this eternal record of these guys and their mom asking for special favors, and the rest of the gang jumping all over them for it.
I don’t know about you, but I’d just as soon that everyone forgot when I did things that were embarrassing, how about you?
A few years ago I was able to reconnect with my best childhood friend from when I lived in Eagle Butte. His name is Mark.
Mark and I did a lot of stuff together. Stuff that when you’re 10-12 years old seems really cool, but when you’re a grown-up could be really embarrassing if anyone found out about it.
He was at my ordination a couple years ago, and it would have just about killed me if he would have loudly started telling stories to say, the District Superintendent.
Thankfully, Mark has a lot more class than that!
But James and John have this hanging over their heads forever. And I think it adds credibility to James and John, because we get to see what God does in them, especially after the resurrection.
It also adds to the credibility of the Bible, because it doesn’t hide the failings of these guys who were two of the leading apostles.
One thing that no one can accuse the Bible of is painting everyone with a spiritual gloss. It tells us all the time about how some of the great people of God fell on their faces.
Guys like David, Abraham, and Peter. Guys who blew it big-time.
People like you and me.
I don’t think there is anyone here who loves to be unappreciated and ignored, right?
I think that all of us can identify somewhat with James and John here. They wanted what they thought they had coming to them.
These guys and their mom came to Jesus with the idea that they could secure one of the “sweet seats” next to Jesus.
Just back in chapter 19, Jesus told the disciples that they would sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel, and James and John were hoping to get the best of the thrones.
These were two of Jesus’ closest disciples, with only Peter being equal to them in terms of access to Jesus and in time with Him away from all the others.
Sometimes Jesus would take these three away to be with Him while the others were left behind.
They were part of the inner circle who got to witness Jesus raising a young girl from the dead, witness His awesome transfiguration.
So it might be understandable that they would think that Jesus might have a special place for them.
These guys thought they had the inside track to glory, so they probably thought, “Let’s kinda sidle up next to Jesus and ask Him for the reward we deserve. And let’s bring Mom!”
And who better to have to do the asking than Mom? It’s possible that she may have even been Jesus’ aunt, one of Mary’s sisters. So there’s another connection they might be able to take advantage of.
Besides, who’s going to turn down the mommy of two of His favorite disciples, right? They’re about to find out that even Mom can’t get their boys everything.
Jesus is about to teach them a lesson that would turn their definitions of greatness and significance on their heads.
But before He does that, He asks them a question:
"Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
The “cup” Jesus is referring to here is the cup of suffering. It’s the cup that He asked the Father to take away from Him.
He was asking them if they were up to the task of suffering on His behalf.
They answered that they were. And they both would. James was the first apostle martyred, and John would suffer exile.
So they think they’re qualified, maybe, to have those seats next to Jesus.
And it’s from these first verses that we find the first lesson we can learn from Jesus:
* Rewards are based on God’s criteria, not ours.
There is no denying that these fellas had worked hard. They had completed the assignments Jesus had given them, and they had success in them. They were high-profile guys who thought they should have a high-profile reward.
But like the workers in the parable of the vineyard, James and John were going to get what the Father had determined, not what they thought they had earned for their service.
Jesus’ answer here shows that He Himself was submissive to His Father’s authority. He says throughout Scripture that He had come to earth not to do His will, but the Father’s. And that included who would get what rewards in the end.
And I want you to notice something about Jesus’ answer:
Jesus didn’t ridicule James and John for asking, even though He denied their request.
It’s an illustration of the fact that we can feel free to ask God for anything, but He might say no. God wants to give us what is best for us, not just what we want. (Life Application New Testament Commentary.)
Let’s pick it up in verse 24 and read the rest of the passage where we find the other two lessons for today –
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Here’s the second lesson we can learn from this conversation:
* Significance is found in service.
Jesus started by discussing what they already knew: that the order of things in earthly kingdoms was greatness was bestowed on the rulers and high officials.
And then he mentioned that in God’s kingdom, it’s entirely the opposite: greatness is bestowed in the servants.
The true leader places his or her needs last, as Jesus exemplified in his life and in his death.
Being a “servant” doesn’t mean occupying a servant-type position; instead, it means having an attitude of life that attends to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return.
Servant leaders realize that they’re not above any job.
Seeking honor, respect, and the attention of others runs contrary to Jesus’ requirements for his servants. Jesus is describing leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. (Life Application New Testament Commentary)
Greatness in the kingdom is found in being a servant for the kingdom.
And often that service is rendered in areas that bring little attention, like serving in the nursery.
Elmer Towns tells about a member of a motorcycle gang who was converted to Jesus Christ dramatically and the first Sunday he did the only thing he knew he should do and so he went to church. Nobody in the church knew him and he w...(more)alked down to the second aisle and sat in the seat. And the people stared because he looked the part; big burly, bearded, long hair, black jacket, tattoos. It came announcement time and the minister got up and made an appeal for nursery workers. He said, “We need someone to work in the nursery.” But no one would volunteer. He asked a second time, “We really need someone to go be with our kids.” But no one would volunteer. And the cyclist prayed, “Lord, I want to do what you want me to do and if you want me to go work in nursery just have the preacher ask a third time.” And a third time the preacher said, “Please we need someone to work in the nursery.” And the cyclist raised his hand, nodded his head and started toward the nursery. And immediately 50 mothers followed volunteering to work in the nursery. (SermonCentral.com. Contributed by: Aaron Burgess)
The third lesson here is:
* Service is a mark of Christlikeness.
I just mentioned that Jesus exemplified the idea of putting other’s needs ahead of His own.
Once again I pound on the drum that says if we call ourselves Christians, we need to reflect Christ in our everyday living.
Jesus says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”
Jesus continually put others ahead of His own needs. Scripture is full of examples of how He was trying to get away from the crowds for some rest, but wouldn’t you know it, the people would find Him, and He would give Himself to them – healing, teaching, feeding, whatever.
If you call yourself a Christian, then you are expected to reflect Him and one of the ways we need to reflect Him is in having a servant attitude toward others.
In a world that is defined by its selfishness, true Christlike servanthood is rarely seen, even by Christians.
Which is sad, because of all the things that can be said about Jesus, “selfish” isn’t one of them.
Unfortunately, selfishness is seen in Christians all the time. And I’m just as guilty as anyone from time to time.
During one summer I was a team leader for a summer training program for the Navigators.
At mealtimes, there were two spots at each table that were a bit more special than the others.
The head spot was for the table leader – these people were “in charge,” so to speak.
The spot to the left of that was the serving spot. They would go get more food and drinks, and make sure everyone had enough of everything.
I always wanted the head spot. So I would hang back, knowing that few would actually head to those spots on their own, so one of them would be empty by the time I got there.
Then I could pretend that I only took that spot because it was the only one left. I’m guessing most folks weren’t fooled by it.
I never went for the serving spot. I say that to my shame.
And because of that, I try to avoid taking the head spot at tables at places where I’m invited.
Folks, here is the key in all this:
The way to greatness is through humility.
Putting others and their needs ahead of your own is what God honors. Going about the Father’s business without regard to earthly recognition or honor.
The correct attitude is summed up in Luke 17:10 –
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ’We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’"
Let me encourage you with something here. You may never get the kind of recognition or applause that you might like or that you see others getting for doing the same kind of work.
But Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that the Father sees what is done in secret. In other words, God is aware of what you do, even if others aren’t.
Hebrews 6:10 –
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
You might be laboring for Christ in the background where no one but God sees you.
And you might be getting discouraged. But know that God sees – and He won’t forget.
Conclusion
Someone once said, "If you wish to be a leader you will be frustrated, for very few people wish to be led. If you aim to be a servant, you will never be frustrated." (SermonCentral.com)
Do you want real greatness? The only greatness that really matters is that greatness laid on you by the Father in Heaven.
Jesus says that the day will come when some will face God and will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
My fervent hope for myself is that I will hear that said to me.
And I would be thrilled if as I were going away from the Father to whatever happens next in heaven, I would be able to look back and see each of you in front of the Father and hear Him say that to you.
Look to serve others ahead of yourself as you look to serve Christ in every area of your life.
Let’s pray.
