INTRODUCTION

When God became Man, the Creator made Himself a Creature, and this act alone would have been an act of unequaled humiliation even if He had appeared at the apex of human wealth, fame, and power. But He was born in most humble circumstances, lived a life of utter poverty, and died despised, rejected, and condemned by the authorities of this world.

Beyond question, Jesus in sacrificing Himself for our sins offered the greatest sacrifice in all history. And it is on the ground of His sacrifice for us that He commands us who follow him to sacrifice ourselves in His service. This is an elementary and fundamental Christianity, quite different from most of the religion that bears the name. Let us face the challenge, and pray God for grace to meet it in some measure.

Outlining the lesson, we note:

1. Activity, Matthew 19:1-2. 
a. Traveling Teacher, 1. 
b. Miraculous ministry, 2. 

2. Anticipation, Matthew 20:17-19 
a. Disciples delinquent, 17. 
b. Future foretold, 18-19. 

3. Ambition, Matthew 20:20-23. 
a. Proxy petitions, 20-21. 
b. Prepared positions, 22-23. 

4. Admonition, Matthew 20:24-28. 
a. Rivalry rebuked, 24-25. 
b. Humility honored, 26-28. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

ACTIVITY, Matthew 19:1-2.

Later on Peter declared of Jesus that He "went about doing good" [Acts 10:38]. Even from childhood He was concerned with His "Father's business" [Luke 2:49], and in His public ministry He recognized the necessity of working "while it is day" [John 9:4]. The earthly life of Jesus was a life of useful and benevolent activity.

Traveling Teacher, 1.

Having no modern means of communication or transportation, Jesus did a great deal of traveling, mostly on foot, to preach the Word of God throughout the length and breadth of what we now the Holy Land. At the time referred to here He was on the way from Galilee to Jerusalem through the part of Judea on the east of the Jordan.

Miraculous Ministry, 2.

No doubt the miraculous healing power of Jesus was the chief attraction in drawing the multitudes after Him. "He healed them there." Not just some of them: He had no failures: "He healed them." Sick people generally still are eager for physical healing; it is a pity that most lost sinners are not equally eager for salvation.

ANTICIPATION, Matthew 20:17-19.

Jesus had a greater ministry in view than healing the sick. He had not come from heaven to earth merely to heal the sick, but to seek and to save the lost [Luke 19:10]. And this eternal purpose kept Him moving to the cross.

Disciples Delinquent, 17.

From our point of view it is hard to understand how the disciples could be so delinquent in failing to believe or take to heart what Jesus told them of His approaching sufferings, death, and resurrection. But we have the advantage of historical fulfillment.

Surely it seems that Jesus told the disciples plainly enough and often enough that they should have been better prepared for the events that came to pass. But at least they did remember afterward, and so their faith was strengthened [John 14:29].

Future Foretold, 18-19.

Details which Jesus here gave to His disciples before the event were in accord with prophetic Scriptures written hundreds of years earlier. In the sight of God the future is as clear and certain as the past. Human historians disagree even on past events, but God's Word always has the facts straight, whether in history or in prophecy.

AMBITION, Matthew 20:20-23.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with a proper ambition or desire for promotion, within limits. Those limits must include a proper regard for the rights of other people. Trying to get a higher position for ourselves by displacing someone else is wrong. Of course it is always easy to convince ourselves that we are more worthy of promotion than the other fellow, but this is not a matter for the servant to decide.

Advancement in God's kingdom is not to be sought by means of selfish prayers or through personal scheming or maneuvering, but simply by being faithful where we are.

Proxy Petition, 20-21.

Evidently the mother and sons supposed that the mother's intercession would have some influence with Jesus in addition to the request of her sons. But when analyzed the mother's plea was hardly less selfish than that of her sons. Our motivation in prayer should not be primarily to please ourselves, but to seek the will and glory of God. Again, within limits, there is nothing wrong with seeking blessings for ourselves and our loved ones. But our desires must not be selfish; we must not seek unfair advantage or unearned rewards and expect God to bless us in such selfishness.

Prepared Petitions, 22-23.

Remember that salvation and admission into the kingdom of God is one thing; rewards and promotions in the kingdom are another. Salvation is by grace through faith without works, but our eternal rewards will be according to our works [Romans 4:3-8; Revelation 22:12].

"Ye know not what ye ask." That is, you do not realize all that is involved in your prayer. No doubt this is true of much of our praying [Romans 8:26; James 4:2-3]. We should be thankful that God knows and understands our needs and desires better than we do ourselves, and loves us enough to say "No" when "No" is the best answer.

God has prepared special positions in His kingdom for those whom He specially qualifies to fill those positions, and it ill behooves one servant to seek to usurp a position prepared for another.

ADMONITION, Matthew 20:24-28.

If James and John were too "pushy" in their ambition, the other disciples were too hasty in their indignation. All needed some admonishing as to proper attitudes and relation- ships among God's people, in contrast to worldly customs and methods. Jesus, by precept and example, gave them -- and us -- this admonition.

Rivalry Rebuked, 24-25.

Gentile believers are no longer "Gentiles" in a religious sense, regardless of natural race or nation [Romans 2:26-29; Philippians 3:3]. We ought no longer to behave like the people of this world. Let "the princes of the Gentiles," the great ones of this world, exercise dominion over their subjects: in this matter they are examples of what we ought not to be. If we are no longer of the world, we ought no longer to act like worldings.

Humility Honored, 26-28.

Our proper Example is Christ. He willingly humbled Him- self in obedient service, even unto death; and He commands us to do the same. See Philippians 2:5-13; Hebrews 12:2.

CONCLUSION [I John 3:16]

Most of us may be required to make only "a living sacrifice" [Romans 12:1], and too many are unwilling even to do this "reasonable service"; but in every generation some followers of Christ, and sometimes many, must literally die under persecution for their testimony to a living faith, and so in a sense for the brethren. On the human level, we owe our faith to saints of previous generations who were willing to die to pass it on to us.

[From Ashland Avenue Baptist paper, March 5, 1976, Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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