Kid’s Takeaway of the day: Serve Others!

Verses of the day: Matthew 20:28 “28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Main idea of the day: In the Kingdom of God, Status is for service, not for self. The Disciples are focused on pride, indignation, and status, juxtaposed to Jesus’ humility, suffering, even though He is God and they are not.

Kingdom Status

Passage

Matthew 20:17–34 ESV

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

1. Jesus focuses His disciples on what’s to come; Kingdom living is sacrificial living, and even dying

Back to my days in Chicago playing basketball with the summer missionaries, I have always like to bring people in to take a knee and focus the attention of the group on what’s really going on. I might say, “hey guys, I know you’re sweating, but the real work ahead of us is serving to share the Gospel with children while keeping your

Matthew d. A Dispute over Greatness in the Kingdom (20:20–28)

Their ignorance, false confidence, and pride contrast with Jesus’s knowledge, resignation to the Father’s will, and humility. -David turner

sacrificial servanthood is the kingdom means to the end of glory

2. Disciples focus on Status in the glorious Kingdom to come

The disciples seem to think positioning and posturing, and playing politics are keys to the kingdom status to elevate self. Kingdom status is really sacrificing as a servant and slave to build up others.

3. The Last Thing Jesus does before going into Jerusalem is to prioritize someone out of pity to meet a very real need they had

sacrificial servanthood is the kingdom means to the end of glory

Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

New International Version (2011) Chapter 31

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

While the disciples are focusing on themselves, Jesus focuses on someone in need. While the disciples are salivating over their potential status, Jesus serves a man lower than a slave. While the disciples are looking to compare themselves to each other, Jesus enables a man to look at Him! While two disciples had their mom make a proposition to empower her sons before Jesus, Jesus shows his power in service to someone who can’t make a daily wage. While the disciples are dreaming about sitting on twelve thrones in the new world judging others, Jesus is walking towards Jerusalem to submit himself to the throne of a vassal-King who will use the King-of-Kings for entertainment! While the disciples are thinking about me, me, me! Jesus is thinking about you! Jesus shows us that the way to achieve status in the Kingdom of God is through faithful focus off yourself, and on to others. So, while Jesus is thinking about the needs of the world, and those in in, what are you thinking about?

In what ways in your life do you pursue status?

How do you cultivate the heart of a servant?

When do you focus on the reward instead of service?