Requesting a Throne, Receiving a Cross

Secular -

A mother was pushing her double stroller through the park when an elderly woman stopped her. "Oh, what beautiful children!" the woman exclaimed. "How old are they?"

The mother straightened up and said, "The Doctor is three, and the Lawyer is only six months."

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 20:20–34 NKJV

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Following Christ Mean Weighing The Price, Paying The Price & Praying For Mercy.

Life Point- Weigh The Price

Exegetical -

Matthew 20:20–22 BSB

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him. “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.” “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.

Homiletical -

So Jesus has previously pulled the 12 aside and told them what the future holds for him

So James and John’s mother comes and asks Jesus that when He comes into his kingdom that her sons may sit on the right and left side of his throne.

Previously Jesus has said that the 12 would rule on 12 thrones in the coming kingdom.

These are still thinking in the realm of the kingdom being an overthrow of the Roman government, which we know is not the case.

By James and John asking this, using their mother, this would put more authority in their hands. Thus making them more important than the other disciples.

Jesus is like you don’t know what you’re asking. Because what they are asking for is hardship, pain, and even death.

So Jesus uses the cup here as a cup of sorrows. Can you indeed handle it? He asks. They respond in the affirmative because they have one thing in mind and Jesus is talking about something else.

You ever notice life doesn’t always turn out the way you plan?

These 2 didn’t realize that after Jesus’ crucifixion and subsequent resurrection that they would indeed drink of this cup of sorrows.

There is always a cost when coming to Christ. We are told to count the cost.

Luke 14:25–33 BSB

Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.

Jesus may never ask you to go to Africa, but then again He might.

You may never lose everything you have, even your own life, for being a Christian. Then again, you might.

But I can say this from experience. The life and the things I had before Christ don’t even compare to the life I have in Christ.

I used to work in a non-christian shop for Brighthouse Networks. I made it clear I was a christian. My 2 direct supervisors used to give me a hard time. 1) was a lesbian 2) The other was self-proclaimed pagan.

I routinely was given harder jobs, not because I was the best worker necessarily but because I was, in most people’s mind, an outspoken zealot.

I have missed out on promotions because I am a Christian. But I haven’t lost my life yet.

The day may come when my life is required of me. Especially as Muslims continue to flood into the country.

In the news every other day there is a death that is caused by a Muslim. But they won’t tell you their religion on the news, they avoid it like the plague. You have to do your own research to find that out.

But the life that I have found in my saviour is so much better than anything this world has to offer. I experience peace with God and He gives me peace in various situations and circumstances.

Life Point - Pay The Price

Exegetical -

Matthew 20:23–28 BSB

“You will indeed drink My cup,” Jesus said. “But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to grant. These seats belong to those for whom My Father has prepared them.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you 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.”

Homiletical -

Jesus tells them that they will drink from His cup and not only that they will be baptized, which means totally immersed, in the same way that He is. They are going to find out what that means soon enough.

As for their request to sit next to Jesus, He tells them no, that is for the Father to decide and He is preparing those who will sit at His side.

Now when the other ten heard about it they were upset, to say the least. They were angry.

Wouldn’t you be? How dare these 2 think they are going to be better than me? How dare they ask such a thing.

So Jesus calls the disciples to Him because He knows what’s in their hearts and He says to them to stop thinking you are going to lord over others. You are going to lead as a servant. Not like the rest of the world does.

This is where we get the term servant leadership. That is why Pastors and Deacons are called servants of the church.

Jesus wants them to take the idea of humility and run with it in leadership. Become the lowliest in order to become the most effective leader in your sphere of influence.

You, right where you are at, are a leader amongst people. You are all the Jesus somebody will ever see. Do you want to be remembered as person who was arrogant, rude, etc? Or do you want to be remembered as a servant, a slave of Christ.

I don’t know about you but I would rather be a slave of Christ than to be an arrogant leader with the people that are around me.

Your job is to lead others to Christ. You can’t lead anyone who won’t listen to you. So take the stance of humility and even pray for it. That’s right I said to pray for it.

You know what’s going to happen? Lots of things, the bottom will fall out because Jesus is trying to make you humble and patient.

When the bottom falls out, you are supposed to grow closer to Jesus. Don’t walk away from God and His church. Double down on your serving and leading others to Christ.

Look at what David said

Psalm 84:10 BSB

For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

This shows David’s humility. He is the king of Israel and He would rather be lowly than to be with the most powerful in the world without God.

Life Point - Pray For His Compassion & Mercy

Exegetical -

Matthew 20:29–34 NKJV

Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Homiletical -

They are leaving Jericho and what happens, the same thing that has been happening a lot. A crowd follows Him and not necessarily for the teaching, but to get something out of Him. A miracle.

Two blind guys cry out to Him to have mercy on them calling him Lord and the son of David.

They call out “O Lord”

This title is one that is given to God and literally means one who exercises authority over mankind. He is one who commands all things.

So these blind men have put their faith and recognize who He is and they are letting Him know that they believe He is the Messiah.

The title Son of David was often used of the Messiah because God promised that there would come a descendant from his line that would reign forever.

If you remember looking at the lineage found in the Gospels you know that the line can be traced to David for this promise on both Mary and Joseph’s sides.

This shows that Jesus is the rightful heir to the kingdom. Now, did they know yet that His kingdom would be a spiritual kingdom? No.

So what happens?

Well these guys wouldn’t stop calling out for Jesus to have mercy on them.

So the crowd tells them to hush. But instead of hush they speak all the louder.

Folks when you go to prayer and you feel like you’re not getting answer, don’t give up.

Ask God for the same perseverance that these men had. Say I have needs, but I need Jesus more now than ever. I just want Jesus. I need Jesus.

Can you do that today?

So Jesus now stops what He is doing and He asks what do you want me to do for you.

You don’t think Jesus already knew? Of course He did, but He wanted them to identify their need and speak it out loud so that they could really come to terms with their need.

They needed to be healed from blindness.

Notice Jesus didn’t get onto them because they wouldn’t hush, He didn’t scold them.

It says He was moved with compassion for them and then He healed them.

How many needs being met have we missed out on because we didn’t continue to call out to Jesus?

Jesus is gracious and compassionate, full of mercy and rich in love.

If you belong to Him then you have the right to approach the throne of grace and receive mercy.

Hebrews 4:14–16 BSB

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Life Principle– Following Christ Mean Weighing The Price, Paying The Price & Praying For Mercy.

Call to Action – altar call….