sf226 - The Secret Of Greatness (Matthew 20 20-28)

Matthew 20:20-28

Introduction

Context

18:1-4 – Greatness in the Kingdom measured by the yardstick of humility

19:14 – Salvation belongs to those with childlike faith

19:21 – Self denial and giving are the marks of a true disciple

19:30, 20:16 – Selfless service is demanded.

20:17-19 – The Lord’s death prophesied.

Against this background we find today’s lesson.

Overview

A Misguided Request (20:20-21)

The Master’s Response (20:22-28a)

A Marvelous Ransom (20:28b)

1A. A Misguided Request (10:20-21)

1B. The one who came

The mother of Zebedee’s sons

Ø Salome, Mary’s sister (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40, John 19:25)

Ø This would make James and John, Jesus’ cousins.

Ø Mark tells us the sons knew, approved, and participated in the request (Mark 10:35-45)

2B. The way she came

Kneeling down…

Ø She was very respectful and waited for the Lord’s response.

Grant me… Her request revealed her faith

Ø Faith that Jesus was the Messiah.

Ø Faith that Jesus would reign (19:28)

3B. The reason she came

That these two sons of mine may…in Your kingdom

Ø She has missed everything Jesus had taught in 18:1- and 20:1-16)

How often have we been guilty of the same sin?

2A. The Master’s Response (20:22-28a)

1B. His response to the mother and her sons (20:22-23)

He warns them concerning the nature of their request (20:22-23a)

Ø He questions their understanding (20:22)

To drink the cup meant to drink the full measure, leaving nothing. It was a common expression that meant to stay with something to the end, to endure to the limits, whatever the cost.

Ø He confirms their compliance (20:23a)

James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John ended his long life as a condemned exile on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9).

He informs them of the foolishness of their request (20:23b)

Ø Personal ambition is not a factor in the eternal, sovereign plan of God.

2B. His response to the rest to the disciples (20:24-28a)

What not to do (20:24-25)

Ø Don’t demand authority (20:25a)

Lord it over (katakurieuo) carries the idea of ruling down on people.

Ø Don’t impose your authority.

Exercise authority over also translates a strong and intensified Greek verb, combining kata (down) and exosiazo (to have authority), and could be rendered “to play the tyrant.”

What to do (20:26-28a)

Ø The profile of true greatness (10:26-27)

Servant is from diakonos, from which the term deacon is derived. The original Greek word was purely secular, referring to a person who did menial labor, such as house cleaning or serving tables. Christ chose this word because it best reflects the selfless, humble life that He honors.

Slave (doulos) was one who was owned by his master and could go only where the master wanted him to go and do only what the master wanted him to do.

Ø The precept of true greatness

The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service.

Ø The pattern of true greatness (10:28a; Philippians 2:6-9)

Jesus is the supreme example of humility and servanthood, because, as the sovereign of the universe and of all eternity, He subjected Himself to humiliation and even to death.

3A. The Marvelous Ransom (20:28b)

1B. The meaning of “ransom”

The Greek

Ø From luo, to loose; as in removing clothes or armor or the removing of bonds from a person.

Ø lutron, (lutroo) to free by paying the redemption price

The Hebrew

Ø kopher, to pay the price of redemption without which the person would be executed. We were condemned to death and Jesus paid the price.

Ø Gaal, (goel) kinsman-redeemer (Ruth and Boaz); Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer.

Close relation; had to be willing; had to be able

2B. The many that are “ransomed”

My people (Isaiah 53:8)

His people (Matthew 1:21)

The sheep (John 10:11, 15)

The church (Ephesians 5:25)

The church of God (Acts 20:28)

God’s elect (Romans 8:32-35)

Application

What Jesus did

He ransomed those whom the Father has chosen.

His death was a voluntary self-sacrifice.

He paid the ransom to the Father. (Romans 3:23-25)

What we must do

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.