A Lot to Learn

Freeing Captives

There is a lot of news coming out of Washington DC. Since Trump took office, just in his first few weeks, it’s hard to believe how much he’s getting done.

The EO’s. So much domestic policy is being written and enacted.

Plastic straws!

Eliminating EV mandates

The border security.

Bio men in women’s sports

D.O.G.E. Are you kidding me! Things they are uncovering. Some of the programs they are cutting need to be brought back. They are doing some good, domestically and in other countries. If it’s a valuable and effective program, then I believe it will be saved. Though, not in its current form.

But, the E.P.A. sending $50 M to Palestine saying climate justice runs thru a free Palestine.

FEMA giving $59 M to house migrants in a 5-star hotel in NY. While the citizens in NC are still homeless and freezing! It makes no sense. These are 2 examples.

I’m sure I’ve stirred a few emotions already this morning. No matter where you side w/ these decisions, they are hot topics right now.

And, while getting all this done on the domestic front, the White House is negotiating a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia. And, between Hamas and Israel.

Encouraging the release of all hostages.

President Trump has been involved in the exchanges of captives between Hamas and Israel. He has brokered the release of several Americans imprisoned in Russia.

Love him or hate him, all sides are having trouble keeping up and responding to what he’s accomplishing.

When it comes to the captives, their captors have a price that they are willing to accept to release their captives. Whether we agree w/ the price or not, it’s not up to us.

Israel must release 100 Hamas fighters they’ve taken captive to get Hamas to release a dozen Israelis. It doesn’t seem fair. But, we don’t set the price. The captors set a price and those working for their freedom must decide if the price is worth it to them. Israel has decided that it is. Okay.

And, when Russia frees American captives, we don’t set the price, they do. We must decide if it’s worth it to us. To their families, certainly. But we have a policy not to negotiate w/ terrorists. Though, the Russians are not considered terrorists. Still, by paying their price we run the risk of them taking more captives to be able to sell them back to us.

I’m sure we don’t know the whole story. There is so much more going on behind the scenes. But, Russia doesn’t have a free press to report such things. And, our negotiators must maintain some confidentialities to protect the process and the people.

The captors take their captives then determine the price of freedom. Those who want the captives returned must decide if it’s worth it to them to pay their price.

Did you realize you were born in captivity? It’s all we know, so we could assume we are completely free to do as we please from the moment we are born. Buy, in reality, theologically, spiritually, we are bound up and have little true freedom.

Our ancestors, Adam and Eve, we convinced by Satan, the Enemy, that He offered true freedom and convinced them to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit. But He lied to them. From that moment on, they were bound, they became His captives and lost all freedom to live their lives as they wanted in the Garden of Eden.

It effected all of their descendants. Down thru Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And all the way to your parents, you and your children.

We were all born in captivity. And our captor determines the price of our freedom. And then, anyone in the position to be able to pay must determine if the price is worth it to them to secure our freedom.

There is only one person in any position to do anything about it.

Jesus met our Captor’s price and paid for our freedom with His life. Jesus bought us out of captivity so we can experience freedom. Then, it’s up to us to walk out of captivity and walk with Jesus to receive everything he offers.

In spite of the work that Jesus did for us, we still have a lot to learn about what it means to walk out of captivity and w/ Him thru life.

That’s where we are today. In fact, we’ve been in a section of the bible where Jesus is fine-tuning, zeroing in on what it means to walk w/ Him. What it really means to love God more than anything so we experience all the freedom He offers.

There is a lesson that the disciples needed to get at the point they were in their growth. It’s a point where many of us have more to learn.

These events are written about in 3 passages; Mt. 20:17-28; Mk. 10:32-45; and Lk. 18:31-35. We’re spending our time in the Mt. passage today.

But first, I want to set the context. Most weeks I don’t give you the greater context. You have trust me that I am considering what the surrounding passages say so that I am interpreting the passage of the day accurately.

But, this week, there is a specific tie to t he preceding passages that is important to get before we get into today’s passage. So, first, the context.

Context

2 weeks ago I taught the passage about the rich, young ruler. A young Jew who seemed to have it all together. Everyone envied this guy. Assumed he was a right w/ God as anyone could be. Otherwise, why would he be in the position he was if God hadn’t blessed him w/ it?

Wealth. A position of authority in the community. Young. Mature beyond his years. Active in the synagogue and temple programs. Doing everything right. So it seemed.

Yet, something was unsettled w/in him. He asked Jesus what he must do to be sure he was saved. Jesus gave him an assignment to show him. Jesus told him to sell everything he owned, give the proceeds to the poor, then come and join Jesus in his travels.

He couldn’t do it. More than once, OT and NT, God made clear that we are to love Him more than anything. And if there is anything that we love more, we must get rid of it.

He loved his stuff. He loved his stuff more than God, though maybe he didn’t realize it at the time. He thought he was all in. He bel’d he was all in. But, he was not being honest w/ himself.

Even if he sold his stuff and gave away the money, he still would have had to leave his position of authority and become a nobody with Jesus.

He couldn’t do it.

In that context, Peter asked what will there be for us?

The discs had done everything Jesus asked the ruler to do. They were all in. Not perfect. But on the right path.

Jesus said they’d be rewarded many times over what they sac’d to follow him.

Then, he said this:

Matthew 19:28 NIV

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

They will have positions of authority, sitting on thrones in heaven, ruling w/ Jesus. Special positions b/c of their special place as his first disciples who become apostles.

Right after, Jesus told a parable about a landowner who hired people to work in his vineyard. 5 different groups, hired at 5 different times during the day. The first group had a specific agreement how much they would be paid. The landowner kept the agreement.

The other 4 groups did not have a specific agreement but were told they would be paid whatever is right.

They all ended up getting paid the same amount. And the first group grumbled b/c they had worked the longest and accomplished the most. But, that was their agreement. They claimed unfairness. But it was perfectly fair.

If the landowner was unfair w/ anyone, it was all the others. He was gracious and generous w/ them, paying them more than they deserved.

That’s what we can expect. We can expect to be treated unfairly by God and be given much more than we deserve when we get to heaven.

There’s the context. Next, Jesus tells them more specifically what’s going to happen to him when they get to Jerusalem.

He wanted to prepare them for what was coming. It wasn’t the first time he told them he was going to die. But it was the first time he told them about the brutality of his death.

What’s Going to Happen

Matthew 20:17–19 NIV

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

He took the 12 aside for a private lesson and prep.

Amazingly, He knew what was going to happen and He didn’t do anything to avoid it or prevent it.

He walked right into it.

It’s actually the 4th time he told them He was going to die. But the 1st time he spoke of betrayal, mocking, flogging, along w/ the crux.

The rejection will be total and complete. No innocents at all. The Jewish leadership will declare him guilty and condemn him to die.

They did not have the authority to carry out a capital punishment. So, they had to convince the Roman gov’t that he was guilty of a serious enough crime so they would do the dirty work.

Crux was not a Jewish form of execution. They stoned people. Romans crux’d ppl. And they only crux’d non-Roman citizens and the worst of the worst criminals.

If a person was crux’d, he was considered to be cursed by God.

This brought these enemies together for a common cause. Together, they killed Jesus. He emphasized the totality of His rejection.

The humility and torturous pain he would suffer was a new addition to the prediction. This was to be no glorious martyrdom. It was an ugly, sordid, brutal butchery.

Flogged making hamburger out of the flesh on his back. Stripped naked for the world to see. Already in shock and most likely going to die w/out the crux, they nailed him to the cross mid-morning. And by mid afternoon he was gone. Buried in a tomb that evening.

But, on the 3rd day…!

Jesus also reminded them that death would not be the end of Him. On the 3rd day He’d rise from the dead.

The discs could not say that Jesus did not prep them for this. But, still they did not understand. They stood in silence. No response.

Maybe they couldn’t believe it. Maybe they didn’t want to believe it.

Maybe, as He said these words this time, Peter had learned his lesson. The last time, recorded in Mt. 16, he swore he would not let it happen. Jesus called him Satan. At least he kept his mount shut this time.

This would be the greatest act of service one person would ever do for anyone else. He never expected us to serve Him. He came with the sole intent to serve us. He intentionally and willingly sought to serve us in this way.

All part of God’s sovereign plan. He knew what was going to happen. He had the power and authority to prevent it. But, He walked right into it and crawled up on the cross Himself.

Why? Why would He do such a thing? Then, why would He continue to put up us when we are such messed up ppl?

Why? B/C He loves us. And we still have a lot to learn.

A Lot to Learn

Matthew 20:20–28 NIV

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 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.”

So, what prompted this? When Jesus said that “at the renewal of all things, the discs would all sit on thrones and rule w/ Him.”

These believers looked like they had it all together. That is, to ea other. James and John were 2 of the inside 3 along w/ Peter that Jesus spent more time with. They were at the transfig

You would have thought b/c they were part of the inside 3 they would have had a better understanding of the importance, value of humble service. But they saw themselves as more deserving than the rest.

But even these insiders had a lot to learn. They got their mother to ask Jesus for them. Sure, they were all going to be given thrones. But they wanted to the two most honored besides Jesus’. They wanted to be on par w/ Him above the others.

They should have suggested Jesus give these positions to others and that Jesus give them seats much farther away. The Bob Eucker seats in the stadium. That would have been more right and valued by God.

At least they knelt, giving the appearance of humility.

A mother’s pride believing her sons are more deserving than the rest. But they were on board w/ her request.

They just heard Jesus describe what He was going to go thru. And they bel’d they could go thru it, too.

To say they thought themselves more capable than they really were would be a huge understatement. In fact, they night Jesus was arrested, they all scattered like roaches when the kitchen light is turned on leaving Jesus to suffer alone.

He told them as much. But he did add that eventually they would drink from the same cup. That is, they would all die under difficult circumstances.

James’ death is recorded in Acts 12:2. John lived the longest, may not have been martyred. But he died alone in exile on Patmos.

Something they had to look forward do. You wonder if they remembered these words while they watched Jesus die and when it came time for them to die.

Jesus went on to say He doesn’t make the seating assignments in heaven. His Father does. But like the landowner from the previous parable, God is both generous and gracious w/ all of us when we get to heaven. We get much more than we deserve. And God will make the right assignments to the right ppl at the right time.

These 2 believed they were more deserving than the rest. A little full of themselves.

And the rest were indignant. Angry. Suspicious. Okay, Jealous. This was no holy humility.

They all wanted the coveted positions but James and John, thru their mother, beat them to the punch and asked first.

This is why Jesus turned to all 12 with his reply at this point knowing they all desired the positions thinking they deserved them above the others.

Greatness in the kingdom comes thru humble service, not thru the pursuit of authority over others.

The greatest positions in heaven will be reserved for those who seek to serve. Humble, not proud. Confident, not fearful. Secure, not insecure. Intentional, not passive.

This kind of service grows from an attitude of intentionality. Not as if there is nothing else one could do so one may as well just suck it up and serve. That’s too passive.

Jesus is the perfect example. He didn’t let it happen to him. He intentionally walked right into it intending for it to happen.

Jesus came and turned the world upside down. Society rewards those who climb the ladder to success. Those who pursue greater positions and authority giving them the responsibility to tell others what to do.

God rewards those who hold the ladder so others can climb it.

Self-importance, the desire to be noticed, respected, ambition to make your mark on the community and impose your will on others is not a value of heaven.

Serve the ppl in the community. Help them get ahead. Provide others w/ the opportunity to make their mark. This is valued by God. His recognition is enough.

The ultimate act of service, the greatest thing anyone has ever done for anyone else is what Jesus did on the cross for us.

Why did He do it? This is the first time He offers any explanation.

We were all born into captivity. In order to be freed, a ransom must be paid. The captor determines the price. The rescuer must determine if it’s worth it.

Satan demands a life. Our own life is not enough to free us. No one else could do what Jesus did b/c they have their own ransom that needs to be paid. They can’t pay enough to free themselves much less anybody else.

Jesus was never a captive. He has been the only One truly free. And His life is enough to not only keep himself free, but free everybody else who wants out of captivity.

Ransom. Redeemed. Given value. Captives, slaves have no human value. Treated like property, animals.

Just like applying the discount code at checkout, the coupon is given value when it’s redeemed and its value is subtracted from the price of the product you are buying.

All 12 coveted the positions and Jesus had to correct their thinking. Heaven values humble service.

We’re all susceptible. I’ve been a part of many a discussion among pastors who firmly believe they are not being paid enough.

I’ve been blessed to be at churches that pay well. Still, thinking we deserve more than we’re getting is a dangerous attitude to have. B/C heaven values humble service, trusting God to graciously and generously make things right eventually.

And, it’s not a stretch to think in terms of marriage and family here, either. Just a short time ago Jesus taught on the subject of marriage and divorce.

We are kings and queens of compartmentalization. Sure, we understand the value of heaven is humble service. But we bow our necks and buck the idea of submission in our marriage.

Men, husbands, headship does not mean boss, king, authoritarian who barks orders. It means we are the lead servant in the marriage.

Ladies, wives, if you react to the word submit then you are guilty of doing what these 2 disciples did in this passage. They thought they deserved positions of authority and did not need to humbly sit beneath the others.

The Xian life is a life of humble service. God is our first priority to serve. Family is second. Friends, church, community is all 3rd.

It is an act of humble worship to serve the ppl in your family beginning with your spouse.

Going to Jerusalem to be crux’d is what God wanted Him to do. In fact, it’s why He came in the first place. The miracles and messages were extras. But Jesus’ purpose in life was come to do what He had to do to be a ransom for the rest of us.

Sure it was hard for Him. But hard is good. Just b/c something is hard does not mean we should avoid it. It is of great benefit to us to go thru hard things.

Humble service for the benefit of others is one of the highest values in heaven.

1 Peter 5:6 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Don’t try to lift yourself up. You’ll just fall down. Lift others up. Make them look good. Give them the opportunities to make their mark.

Then, when the time is right, God will lift you up and it will last.

Applications

Ransom

Your captor demands a price for your freedom that you cannot afford.

Jesus offers to pay the price for you.

If you haven’t yet, why not? Why not today? In your heart, choose to let Jesus pay to free you and experience God’s freedom from now on.

Serve

Find ways to serve the ppl around you, that benefits them w/out benefitting you. Even consider doing it anonymously.

Make this your habit. Make others look good, feel good, and experience more good by serving them in ways that help them.

Marriage

Don’t react when reading Ephesians or being taught that the way to make a marriage work is by serving each other.

Husbands, love your wives the way Jesus’ loves the church. He gave everything up for her. Everything.

Wives, submit to your husbands. Serve them. Let them lead. Men, don’t be passive. Ladies, don’t be controlling.

Seek to serve each other and see what God will do to bless your marriage when you do.

There is only one person in any position to do anything about it.

Jesus met our Captor’s price and paid for our freedom with His life. Jesus bought us out of captivity so we can experience freedom. Then, it’s up to us to walk out of captivity and walk with Jesus to receive everything he offers.

In spite of the work that Jesus did for us, we still have a lot to learn about what it means to walk out of captivity and w/ Him thru life.