I always make the joke that sinful man is good at worshipping and serving one thing: Me, Myself and I. Or, like I call it, the Unholy Trinity! But it is so true. So when I read Matthew 20:20-28 I can't help but to feel some confrontation between the words of Jesus and my sinful flesh.
As a good ole American boy, I have grown up in a culture that fuels the idol worship of self. It's all about me, I am the god of my life. I must do whatever it takes to make sure the Unholy Trinity is pleased and satisfied.
Likewise, parents can be the same way about their own children. They are fueled by not living up to the American dream. So you hear them say things like, "I just want my children to have the life I didn't" Or "I want to give them everything I wasn't given"
As a result, parents can sometimes stop at nothing to see that their children have all this world can offer. We sorta see this attitude in the mother of James and John. She requests that her sons be seated on either side of Jesus in His kingdom. Afterall, they did leave everything to follow Jesus, so surely He owes them something, right?
Jesus combats her thinking and motives by defining true greatness in His kingdom. "You wanna be great in My kingdom? Ok! Be a servant! Stop seeking self-exaltation, humble yourself , become a slave and serve others."
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Philippians 2:1-8:
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
How do we go from self-centered, self-pleasuring, self-exalting desires to having the mind of Christ? I think the key is found in Philippians 2:13, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
This change in nature and attitude cannot simply be a work that we produce. Our works produce death, but the work of the Holy Spirit produces life. Read Romans 8.
Matthew 20:28 tells us when we serve others we reflect Jesus. Any time we reflect Christ, God is glorified (Matthew 5:16).
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Since this seems to be a running theme throughout Matthew, I'm finding myself continually challenged with this reality of being a servant. We finally got to play another softball game last night, and it made all the difference in the world for me to approach my role on the team in that manner. Even though we lost 17-5, I had a blast serving the guys through leading and encouraging!
ReplyDeleteThis morning what jumped out at me was Matthew 20:1-16. God is sovereign! He can do whatever He wants with all that is His! (And all IS His) I am confident that He is good and therefore I trust Him to always do what is best for me (Romans 8:28) but I admit I don't always enjoy the process. The passage this morning put me back in my place a bit, and hopefully when He does things I don't like I can continue to rest in His sovereign goodness.