A Leader Must Be a Servant

Matthew 20:17–28
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Jesus certainly did all He could to prepare His disciples for His death (vv. 17-19). For the fourth time we find Him telling them that He is going to die (12:30; 16:21; 12:22-23; and 20:17-19). He also tells them in this passage how He is going to die on the cross. However the disciples gave no indication that they understood.

Instead of understanding about the cross they seemed to be more interested in a crown (vv. 20-23). It seems that Salome, the mother of James and John, wanted the seats of honor for her two sons in His kingdom.  As a typical mother, she felt her sons deserved the best locations. Jesus said that they did not realize what they were asking for. He indicated that they would one day share the same cup of suffering and death that He soon would partake of. As a matter of fact, James became the first apostle to suffer martyrdom (Acts 12:2) and John later in life is thought to have been put to death on the Isle of Patmos.

When the other ten disciples heard about the request by James’ and John’s mother, they were angry (v. 24). Probably they were sorry that they had not thought of it first. Being aware of the friction within the group Jesus called the twelve together and reminded them of some important principles. Greatness in the Lord’s kingdom was not to be able to rule over others but in being a servant (vv. 25-28). The person who wants to be first among you must be willing to take the lowest position of all and give up his right in order to serve others. No one ever mistook Jesus for anything but a leader, and yet He came to serve, right up to the time He performed the ultimate service by giving His life so that we might not have to die.

Application

When I was growing up what did my parents want me to be? What did I want to be? How does this differ from what this passage of Scripture teaches?