Matthew 20:21

“And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.”

Context:In this passage, we find the mother of James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, approaching Him with a request. She desires for her sons to have positions of honor and authority in Jesus’ kingdom. This incident occurs after Jesus had just predicted His death and resurrection for the third time.

Ambition and the Kingdom of God:The mother’s request reflects human ambition and a desire for power and prestige. It reveals a worldly perspective of seeking positions of authority in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus’ response to her request provides valuable insights into His teachings on humility and servanthood.

Misunderstanding Jesus’ Kingdom:The mother’s request also shows a misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus’ kingdom. The disciples, like many of their contemporaries, anticipated an earthly, political kingdom in which Jesus would rule as a king and they would hold positions of power. However, Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, the Kingdom of God, in the hearts of people.

Jesus’ Response:Jesus responds to the mother’s request in the following verses, Matthew 20:22-23, saying, “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.”

Drinking the Cup and Baptism:Jesus uses the metaphors of drinking the cup and being baptized to refer to the suffering and sacrifice that He would endure. He asks James and John if they are willing to share in His suffering. Their response demonstrates a lack of understanding of the magnitude of what Jesus was referring to.

Servanthood and Humility:Jesus emphasizes that positions of honor in His kingdom are not determined by human ambition or personal requests but are assigned by the Father. He also teaches the importance of servanthood and humility, stating in Matthew 20:26-28, “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

• This passage challenges us to examine our own motives and desires in serving God.
• It reminds us that seeking positions of power and authority should not be our primary focus.
• Instead, we are called to embrace servanthood and humility, following the example of Jesus.

Furthermore, it teaches us that suffering and sacrifice are integral to the Christian life. Just as Jesus drank the cup of suffering and was baptized with the baptism of death and resurrection, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

In conclusion, Matthew 20:21 provides valuable lessons about the nature of Jesus’ kingdom, the importance of servanthood and humility, and the willingness to embrace suffering for the sake of the Gospel. It challenges us to examine our hearts and motives in our pursuit of God’s kingdom and to prioritize service to others over personal ambition.