Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 20
Daily Bread Together – Monday – Matthew 20
Verse of the Day: 20:24-28 “When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 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.”
What Does This Mean? The disciples begin to misinterpret what it means to have kingdom power. Because they were so steeped in a patriarchal, authoritative worldview, they saw their partnership with the King of kings as opportunity to wield more power. Many of the Jews had been oppressed for so long the thought of having real power was very enticing!
And yet Jesus explains the “upside down nature of God’s kingdom” and how unlike in the world where those in power yield it over their subjects, in God’s kingdom we use our power to serve others. And the word for servant is “doulos” which means “bond servant”, literally one who has given up all of their rights.
Importantly Jesus doesn’t just preach this, but he models it for the disciples. Jesus, the one with the most power (after all He is God!) does not use His power to wield it over others, but He becomes a servant for all humankind, even unto death on a cross. And in Philippians 2, since Jesus was obedient as a servant unto death, He was exalted to the highest place that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
What Does This Mean For Us? You may have heard it before, but we say “membership in the church has its privileges, we get to serve!” The path to true greatness in Jesus’ eyes is one of downward mobility where we lead by service to others putting their needs in front of ours. This is very counter cultural to the world’s values, where position leads to power and getting to call the shots.
But when one learns to serve, draping the towel around their shoulder we experience a joy that is unique and the world loves to participate in. The next time you are tempted to be great or see your service as a road to being first, remember Jesus’ words that service for the believer is a way of life walking in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior who wasn’t too prideful to take the role of a servant washing His disciples’ feet!
Jesus thank you for modeling true greatness for us. As we live, work and play create in us a willing attitude like that of a servant so we may show the world that servant leadership. Amen.
Verse of the Day: 20:24-28 “When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 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.”
What Does This Mean? The disciples begin to misinterpret what it means to have kingdom power. Because they were so steeped in a patriarchal, authoritative worldview, they saw their partnership with the King of kings as opportunity to wield more power. Many of the Jews had been oppressed for so long the thought of having real power was very enticing!
And yet Jesus explains the “upside down nature of God’s kingdom” and how unlike in the world where those in power yield it over their subjects, in God’s kingdom we use our power to serve others. And the word for servant is “doulos” which means “bond servant”, literally one who has given up all of their rights.
Importantly Jesus doesn’t just preach this, but he models it for the disciples. Jesus, the one with the most power (after all He is God!) does not use His power to wield it over others, but He becomes a servant for all humankind, even unto death on a cross. And in Philippians 2, since Jesus was obedient as a servant unto death, He was exalted to the highest place that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
What Does This Mean For Us? You may have heard it before, but we say “membership in the church has its privileges, we get to serve!” The path to true greatness in Jesus’ eyes is one of downward mobility where we lead by service to others putting their needs in front of ours. This is very counter cultural to the world’s values, where position leads to power and getting to call the shots.
But when one learns to serve, draping the towel around their shoulder we experience a joy that is unique and the world loves to participate in. The next time you are tempted to be great or see your service as a road to being first, remember Jesus’ words that service for the believer is a way of life walking in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior who wasn’t too prideful to take the role of a servant washing His disciples’ feet!
Jesus thank you for modeling true greatness for us. As we live, work and play create in us a willing attitude like that of a servant so we may show the world that servant leadership. Amen.
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