Reading the Word

Matthew 20:20–28 (ESV)

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.”

Parallel Text: Mark 10:35-45

Understanding and Applying the Word

The mother of the sons of Zebedee (i.e. James and John) asked Jesus to allow her sons to sit at his right hand and his left hand in his kingdom. She desired what any mother would desire for her children: success. She believed Jesus to be the Messiah, though she misunderstood what was about to happen to Jesus. This is why Jesus responded, “You do not know what you are asking.” The other disciples were not happy to hear about this inquiry. They were likely wanting the same thing for themselves.

Jesus addressed the mindset of the disciples by explaining that ruling over others is not the way of his kingdom. The greatest in his kingdom are those who serve. Jesus, the Messiah, came not to be served, but to serve. He even went to the cross as a sacrifice for others. Those who belong to Jesus are called to give their lives for others.

Putting others first is not easy and it goes against everything the world teaches us. Let us be thankful that Jesus put us first and then let us look to serve those who the Lord has brought into our lives. Let us serve them by praying for them, loving them, and sharing the Good News of our Savior.

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