March 14, 2016
I ONCE WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE!
Matthew 20:17–28
Sophie Schott
Central Truth
Pride gives us telescope vision. Humility helps us to broaden our perspective to better love and serve others.
Key Verse | Matthew 20:26
"It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant." (Matthew 20:26)
Matthew 20:17–28
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
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.”
A Mother's Request
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, 1 20:26 Greek diakonos 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 2 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) 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.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 20:17–28
Pride is blinding. Not only are we often blind to pride when it takes hold of our own hearts, but pride also blinds us to the needs of others and causes us to focus only on ourselves. Humility is the mindset that the needs of those around us are of greater value than our own. But, far too often, like the disciples in Matthew 20, we are so caught up in our desire for personal glory that we forget how we are called to selflessly serve others around us.
In verse 18, Jesus tells His disciples about His coming death and resurrection in Jerusalem. Then, the mother of James and John decides this is the time to secure places of honor in the Kingdom for her sons. James and John apparently did nothing to stop her, so it seems likely that they were focused on themselves and not on what Jesus had just told them. This is so similar to how I get distracted from following Jesus by my desires for my own glory. Sometimes, I want perfect grades so desperately that I spend all of my time studying and neglecting service to my younger siblings. Other times, pride comes out as boasting about accomplishments. Instead, I could be using my words to encourage others. In any case, whichever way pride manifests itself in my life, the bottom line is that pride blinds me.
How then can I receive sight? I need the healing only Jesus can provide! When I focus on my glory instead of His, I'm stumbling around blind. Instead of asking to sit at Jesus' right side, Lord, give me a heart that desires to wash my friends' feet. Lord, change my heart that my attitude would be that same as Jesus', who "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, NIV). Amen.
Discussion Questions
1. Which areas of your life is pride blinding you? Ask your community group or a trusted friend to lovingly point out your blind spots.
2. Where do you need humility in order to serve others better?
3. Pray and ask God to reveal ways you can bring Him glory instead of trying to glorify yourself.