A Leader Must Be a Servant
January 4, 2021
Commentary
Jesus certainly did all He could to prepare His disciples for His death (vv. 17-19). For a third time He told them that he was going to die, this time adding in the means of his death: crucifixion. Just as always, he predicted his resurrection as well. The disciples still did not understand, however. Right after this, Salome, the mother of James and John, requested seats of honor for her two sons in His kingdom. 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 was the last. The other disciples were angry because of Salome’s request (v. 24). Being aware of the friction within the group Jesus called the twelve together and reminded them of some important principles. Greatness in the Kingdom is measured in service to others, not position or status (vv. 25-28). To be first you must be willing to take the lowest position, giving up your rights to serve others.
Jesus and His disciples passed through Jericho along with a huge crowd of Passover pilgrims (v. 29). As they were leaving Jericho, two blind men called to Him to heal them (v. 30). Rebuked by the crowd, they cried even louder, “Have mercy on us Son of David”. This was a messianic title, that had been avoided earlier by Jesus in public but now accepted as He approached Jerusalem. Jesus stopped in the road and called, “What do you want me to do for you” (v. 32)? They replied that they wanted him to open their eyes so they could see (v. 33). Jesus had compassion on them and immediately touched their eyes. Once their sight was restored, they immediately follow Him (v. 34). He became a servant to these two rejected blind beggars. What a contrast! The rich young ruler rejects Him for worldly possessions; His own disciples argue over who will be the greatest; the laborers in the parable murmur. Yet two transformed blind beggars gladly follow Him!
Application
It is so easy for me to be around those who are spiritually blind and be calloused to their need of Christ just like the crowd was with the two blind men. I need to think of someone that I am around often who is spiritually blind and ask the Lord to give me a compassion to win them to Christ.
Matthew 20:17– 34 (NET)
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve aside privately and said to them on the way, 18 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the experts in the law. They will condemn him to death, 19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged severely and crucified. Yet on the third day, he will be raised.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked him for a favor. 21 He said to her, “What do you want?” She replied, “Permit these two sons of mine to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He told them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24 Now when the other ten heard this, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. 26 It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you 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.”
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” 31 The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “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 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.