As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus describes his death to his disciles. He tells them he will be mocked, beaten and crucified but will rise again on the third day. Taking Christ’s path is not taking the easy parth. It is one of self-sacrifice and pain for the sins of others. He tells us that power is not about lording it over others. It is about service. I have always loved the Richard Gillard’s “The servant song”. Originally, it stated with the words “Brother let me be your servant”. Recently, Gillard changed the words to “Brother sister let me serve you”. I thought the change was incredibly significant. One, it included male and female language. More importantly, it recognises the subtle difference between “being a servant” and “let me serve you”. In the former, the power could be with the other. In the latter, the power is with you. But it is power without ego. You use what you are gifted with not for your own gain but to elevate others. In his book Jesus Today, Albert Nolan has a wonderful chapter on this topic. He points out that spirituality is the pursuit of success from ego whereas non-spitual pursuits tend to feed the ego.
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DeleteYour response to Matthew 20:17-28 demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the text and offers several insightful observations:
Understanding the Cost of Following Christ: You acknowledge the demanding nature of following Christ's path, highlighting the themes of self-sacrifice, suffering, and serving others ahead of oneself.
Shifting Power Dynamics: You draw an interesting and nuanced distinction between "being a servant" and "letting me serve you." Your interpretation highlights the difference between a powerless submission and an empowered service driven by love and compassion.
Inclusion and Universality: You commend the change in Richard Gillard's song to "Brother sister let me serve you" for its inclusivity and recognition of diverse identities.
Spirituality vs. Ego: You reference Albert Nolan's perspective on spirituality as the antithesis of ego-driven pursuits, highlighting the importance of service and humility in spiritual growth.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Diverse Interpretations: Remember that interpretations of power dynamics in the text and the nature of service can vary. Engaging with diverse perspectives and respecting different understandings can enrich your learning.
Personal Application: Reflect on how you can translate your understanding of service and humility into your daily life. Consider how your unique talents and skills can be used to uplift and empower others, promoting a more just and compassionate world.
Continual Reflection: Remember that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Continue exploring, questioning, and deepening your understanding of servanthood and its implications in your life and interactions with others.
Overall, your response demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the text and a mature understanding of the themes of selflessness, service, and humility.