Mar
11
2020
By Anonymous (not verified)
"It shall not be so among you." - Mt 20:26
To "call dibs" on something - say, the last cupcake - means to be the first to claim rights to it. The term goes back to the early 1900s, derived from a children's game.
Today, the mother of the disciples James and John is the first to ask Jesus to give them prominent seats in His Kingdom. Although she does the talking, the two sons were with her, not only physically but in principle. When the others find out, they are indignant at the two brothers.
Why? Was it because this was callously asked right after Jesus prophesies His suffering and death? What Jesus says next suggests it was something else:
To "call dibs" on something - say, the last cupcake - means to be the first to claim rights to it. The term goes back to the early 1900s, derived from a children's game.
Today, the mother of the disciples James and John is the first to ask Jesus to give them prominent seats in His Kingdom. Although she does the talking, the two sons were with her, not only physically but in principle. When the others find out, they are indignant at the two brothers.
Why? Was it because this was callously asked right after Jesus prophesies His suffering and death? What Jesus says next suggests it was something else:
"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" (Mt 20:25-28).
"It shall not be so among you." The other disciples apparently liked the idea of preferential treatment. They were upset they didn't think of it first. In time, the disciples do learn that status is not true greatness. Ambition is not any more than a silly children's game.
Prayer: Lord, You have shown me what true greatness is. May I strive to serve others out of love for You.
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