Matthew 20:17-34 ~ If you knew...would you?
- Jesus Models Genuine Servanthood vs 17-19 "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." The purpose of the cross: Substitutionary Atonement.
- Jesus Taught Servanthood as a Life Strategy vs 20-28 A mother's request (Salome, Jesus' Aunt see Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40, 16:1) "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" lit. 'drink the cup' = destiny. There is a difference between "choosing to serve" and "choosing to be a servant". When we choose to serve, we remain in control of when, what, how much, how long. But when we choose to be a servant, we relinquish control and are at the feet of the one we are serving.
- Jesus Showed What Servanthood Looks Like vs 29-34 "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 He asked the blind men: What do you want me to do for you? Our attitude: What can we do for you? Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.
The Bible doesn't say much about the world going to church.
It does say a whole lot about the church going to the world!
FOR FURTHER STUDY AND DISCUSSION:
- Why is Christ's death signficant to you? Matthew 10:17-19; 28)
- How did Jesus define true greatness and true spiritual leadership?
- What is the difference between "choosing to serve" and "choosing to be a servant"?
- What does servanthood look like in real life? (For you?)