A New Standard of Greatness

Matthew 20:17-28

GOLDEN TEXT: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8

THE standard of greatness set forth in this lesson is indeed a new standard for the world. It is a greatness represented in humble, self-sacrificing service for others. It is a greatness, moreover, that does not seek to rule others, but is willing to submit to all sorts of humiliations imposed by others in order that the opposers may be blessed. The perfect example of this greatness is given us by Jesus in His laying down life itself for sinners. St. Paul tells us that Christ endured “great contradiction of sinners”—that is, not only did He die for the sinful world of mankind, but was additionally great in that He submitted to “great contradiction” from many of the sinners for whom He was dying.

In the lesson, Jesus makes clear to His disciples that He expected to suffer and die. In another account we are told that Peter endeavored to dissuade the Master from going to Jerusalem if it meant that He was to get into so much trouble. This was a selfish, human viewpoint, and one which Jesus did not for a moment entertain, replying to Peter, “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” In this respect there have been many well-meaning Peters all down through the age; that is to say, there have been many, individuals and groups, who have sought to interpret and practice Christianity apart from sacrifice and suffering.

“The mother of Zebedee’s children, with her sons,” took occasion to request a special favor of Jesus, namely, a prominent position for the boys in the Messianic Kingdom. This afforded the Master a splendid opportunity to drive home the lesson of what it would really mean to be one of His true disciples. The disciples, like most professed Christians since, were viewing the matter of following the Master, almost wholly from the standpoint of what they could get out of it. It had not occurred to them that the real consideration was that of how much they were willing to put into the common cause.

The disciples had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, and they were doubtless familiar with Israel’s hopes that were centered in their Messiah; that is, that through Him a Kingdom would be established, bringing all other kingdoms within the sphere of its influence, and through its administration, bestow the promised blessings, of life, liberty and happiness so eloquently described by “all of God’s holy prophets since the world began.” Having become associated with the Messiah, it was natural for the disciples to be keenly interested in the organizational arrangements of His Kingdom, and to wonder what part they would have in it.

But what the disciples had not yet clearly understood was the fact that not only must Jesus suffer and die in order to provide the life-giving Kingdom blessings, but also that those who were to reign with Him, must suffer and die with Him—following in His footsteps. Hence Jesus said to the enquiring ones, “Ye know not what ye ask”—that is, you don’t realize as yet what you must suffer in My name in order to be with Me in the Kingdom.

Then the Master gave them a hint of what it would mean, asking if they were able to drink of His cup, and to be baptized with His baptism. While they replied that they were, yet it is evident that they didn’t fully comprehend the meaning of it all, for later, when a real test came, they forsook the Master. With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, however, the minds of the apostles were illuminated, and then they understood, and made it clear in their writings; that it is only upon the basis of suffering with Christ that anyone may hope to reign with Him; hence that we should not think it strange when the fiery trials come upon us. The other ten disciples were quite put out that Zebedee’s children had so boldly importuned the Master for a special place in His Kingdom. This evidently was not because they were any less grasping than the other two, for apparently Jesus saw that at heart they likewise were concerned over their future position. Apparently it was just a matter on their part of being irritated that the other two had gotten ahead of them in making the request.

In any event, Jesus took the opportunity to explain to the twelve that they were viewing things from the wrong standpoint—from the standpoint of the “princes of the Gentiles,” who reckon their greatness upon the basis of how much authority they are able to exercise over others, and how many they can bring within the sphere of their authority. Jesus explained that true greatness, from the divine standpoint, is manifested in one’s zeal to serve, not to rule; and then gave His own course as an illustration—“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”—Verse 28

Here was a wonderful lesson. The disciples were asking to sit with Jesus in His Kingdom; which meant that they considered Him to be very great; but they were reminded that even this One, whose greatness they desired to share, was to become great through sacrificing service on behalf of others. Were they able to follow an example of this kind, and thus to become truly great? With the exception of Judas, they were. True, they wavered for a while when the Master was crucified, but later they rallied to the cause of sacrifice, and followed Him faithfully into death; and are become the foundations in the New Jerusalem—the Messianic Kingdom.

QUESTIONS:

Wherein did Jesus’ standard of greatness differ from that of the world’s?

Was the disciple’s hope of sharing in the Kingdom reign of the Messiah justified by the promises of God?

Were the ten any less interested in the high position in the Kingdom than the two who asked the Master for such positions?

What great example of humble service did Jesus hold up to the disciples when impressing upon their minds that they were to view matters differently from the “princes of the Gentiles”?

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