MATTHEW 20:25-28

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.”

TO PONDER

These verses are from a passage beginning at Matthew 20:20, to which Human bible translators, attempting to assist the readers, have added the title; ‘A mother’s request’. Not unusual, but not necessary. And sometimes the heading given to scripture gets in the way. It was never meant to be there in the first place, and now and again it can be the wrong emphasis anyway (e.g. The Prodigal Son). 

When I was in the classroom, mums of the student’s I taught would occasionally request things specifically for their child such as; ‘don’t let them sit next to so-and so, they are a bad influence’, or ‘please make sure they sit near an open window’, or ‘can you make sure they sit close to the front so they are not distracted by others’. We would listen to the request and answer the best way we can. And that’s ok because parents want the best for their children. 

Jesus answers the question with a question, and then a reminder that his Father, has the final say, and we are to serve. That’s all. Follow Jesus example of listening to his Father, and in response, serve. Can you do that this week?              

PRAYER 

Servant of all, help us listen to you, even if we don’t always like what you say. Thank you for the example you give and help us be bold this week in our serving of others. Amen    

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping