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Sunday, March 11, 2018

Can I Be Your Favorite? (Matthew 20.17-28)


Sermon by: Robert Austell; March 11, 2018 - Matthew 20:17-28

:: Sermon Audio (link) :: Click link to open and play in browser; right-click to save. Sermon audio is also accessible as a free podcast in iTunes. Search for "Good Shepherd Sermons" or "Robert Austell." 



::: Scripture and Music ::
Glory to God Forever (Fee)
How Great the Father's Love for Us (Townend)
CHOIR: Compassion Hymn (arr. Courtney)
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love (Colvin, folk melody)

:: Sermon Manuscript (pdf) ::
This "manuscript" represents an early draft of the sermon. Some weeks the spoken version varies more than others from the early manuscript. Nevertheless, if you'd prefer to read than to listen, this is provided  for that purpose.

This is a week I'd particularly commend the audio over the written draft below.

Today we continue our focus on freedom in Christ, but between now and Easter we also turn to some of the texts describing Jesus’ last weeks and days leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. In fact our text begins today with the third of four examples of Jesus predicting or being aware of his impending death. In Matthew 16:21 we read that from that point Jesus began telling his disciples about what was coming in Jerusalem concerning his death and resurrection, though indicators are that most or all of them only heard selectively beforehand, probably interpreting his words into their preconceived ideas about the Messiah. But Jesus continued to speak of his death. In Matthew 17:22-23 he tells them in more detail and we read that they were grieved. Here, in Matthew 20, he adds additional details, mentioning betrayal and being handed over to the Gentiles (the Romans). He will predict his death one more time just days beforehand, as recorded in Matthew 26:2.

In that context, then, we have this interesting exchange with the mother of two disciples and then with the rest of the disciples. We will look first at the exchange with the mother, then at the exchange with the other disciples. Then we’ll consider the implications for our own freedom and how we follow Jesus.

Just Looking Out for My Boys (vv.20-23)

Starting in verse 20 there is this interesting request from the mother of two disciples. First, let me offer even a little more context. In the prior chapter (19:27-30), Peter had probably kicked off this whole topic. He asked Jesus, “We have left everything and followed you; what then will there be for us?” (v.27)  Jesus responded and said that the disciples would join him in the new heavens and new earth as judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. I know, that raises questions, but is not our focus this morning. And Jesus mysteriously ends his response by saying, “Many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” (v.30) Then, in Matthew 20, he tells this strange parable about laborers in a vineyard who all agree to a certain wage but then complain when, at the end of the day, they realize that some who came late worked less with a different wage. Again, too much there to unpack today, but it is helpful context to know that two things were on the minds of the disciples: their personal status and reward for faithfulness, and how they compared to each other and other non-disciples. Said more simply: What is the benefit of following Jesus?

So it is no wonder that the mother of James and John asked the question. And it’s not like she rode a camel in from the country to confront the Rabbi. We can piece together names and information from the Gospels to name her as Solome (not the one who danced for Herod), one of the several women who traveled with and followed Jesus, likely a relative of Mary, and one of those who went with spices to the tomb on Easter morning. She was just looking out for her boys. She came and kneeled down or bowed low to make a request of Jesus: “Command that in your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on your right and one on your left.” (v.21) He had already said that the disciples would be seated around him in the Kingdom to come. She wanted to make sure they were in prominent positions and roles when he came into his own.

Jesus does not seem angry or put out, but responds to the two disciples, who are apparently also present: “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (v.22) He is thinking of the suffering that is to come and the judgment for the world’s sin that he is about to bear. They enthusiastically claim, “We are able!” (v.22) But he presses on, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on my right and on my left, this is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” (v.23) They will indeed share in Jesus’ suffering, though not in the same sense he does. And he defers the question of sitting on his right and left; it is the Father’s decision. Though his response harkens back to talk of the disciples’ role in the world to come, and does use ‘sit’ at his right and left, I cannot help but picture the thieves hanging on crosses on the right and left of Jesus as those who truly share in suffering and the judgment for sin in the way he means. All in all, he seems to be telling the two disciples and their mother, “You don’t understand what is happening or about to happen.” They will indeed share in what he is about to do, but he does it in their place even as he does in our place. He is also further illustrating what he would illustrate many times: God’s Kingdom is not of this world; it is an “upside-down Kingdom” where power is upended and true peace, justice, and rightness with God is restored. Those who follow closely to Jesus will indeed share with him, but in roles and ways that are unexpected to the mindset of this world.

Can You Believe Those Two!? (vv.24-28)

In verse 24 we read, “And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.” They also want in on the power and the good seats. This won’t be the last time they argue about who is the best and the favorite among the disciples. Since apparently they did not understand the answer Jesus just gave, he calls them over and expands on the lesson: in this world rulers lord over people and exercise authority… “but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.” (vv.26-27) It’s more of the first shall be last and the last shall be first. This is about the fourth repeat of that lesson in a row! And he will have to repeat it some more until he dons the towel to wash their feet on the night before crucifixion that we call Maundy Thursday. Then finally he will demonstrate the lesson by his own suffering and death on the cross.

And it is himself that he holds up as example here: do this “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (v.28) If you can’t get the lesson, then at least take note of the teacher. The disciples and the mother of James and John had this right: the way to greatness is to attach themselves closely to Jesus. But he redefines greatness as… are you ready for this… serving God and serving others. He defines faithfulness as loving God and loving others. He defines freedom as living life within the bounds God has provided and giving your life away in love and service to God and the world God loves.

And that’s the lead in to our application and the theme of freedom. 

Real Freedom

Last week I said that freedom is not doing whatever you want, but living within the bounds given by a loving, wise God. This week Jesus fine tunes that definition: freedom is not attaching to or riding the coat-tails of the powerful, but following Jesus’ own teaching and example, which is to service and love of God and other. I realize this sounds like everything boils down to a simple Sunday school answer. But it is a profound answer and we struggle to grasp it as much or more than the disciples did.

We often want to approach and use God in a “what can you do for me?” mentality, perhaps even with good intentions. We don’t want to become kings and queens of the world, we just want a little blessing, prosperity, and happiness. But the message keeps coming back throughout scripture: true blessing, true freedom, true peace, is most keenly known when we are living in the heart of God’s will, God’s best for us. The lie is that God pins us down, ties us up, and limits our freedom. But the truth is that there is no better place to be then the center of God’s will and God’s best. That’s the boundaries of freedom. We were enslaved to sin and self and God has set us free. But that is not freedom to more sin and self, but freedom to discover God’s best and live there.

That takes a mindful submission. We must choose to follow Jesus and honor the life-flourishing boundaries God provides. And God does not abandon us when we go off the rails. Thank God He does not abandon us when we go off the rails! But real freedom and real life is there trusting, seeking, and serving God. Think about the parable of the Prodigal Son. He was miserable out doing his own thing, but that did not change his father’s love or desire for him to return home. It did not eliminate the home that he had, even though he couldn’t imagine returning to it as anything but a hired hand. But there was true life and freedom and his father looking out and ready to celebrate his coming home.

When we start with “what can God do for me?” it is easy to get disillusioned, disappointed, and disinterested. Consider Jesus’ response and come see where God will lead you, where God will move you, how God will invite you in to that place of freedom, life, and peace. Amen.

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