Seeking Greatness By Ed McDowell

Jesus Brings Perspective on Greatness

Jesus receives a request from the mother of two of his disciples to establish her sons in positions of greatness in his Kingdom.

“What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

Matthew 20:21 NLT

Reflection

I appreciate a mother who wants the absolute best for her sons. She wants to see them do well. While I do not know if it is the best approach to seek greatness on their behalf, that is what she did. Her boys were right there with her as she approached Jesus.

Jesus responds with a statement and a question: “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?”  We do well to listen to Christ right here. Do we know what we are asking for? Are we adequately prepared for what is to come?

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”  The two sons of Zebedee are confident in their readiness. They think they are ready for the greatness their mother has requested of them.

Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

Matthew 20:22-23, NLT 

The Response

Jesus gives them a two-part answer:

• Yes, you will go through my suffering with me. You will suffer too.
• It’s not my call. Jesus doesn’t determine who sits in places of greatness in the Kingdom. These decisions are made by God the Father. He will take care of your reputation, influence, and standing in His Kingdom.

Mom’s request creates a ripple effect of discord with the other disciples: 

“When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.”

Matthew 20:24, NLT 

When we seek our greatness, it is always at the expense of others and creates division.

Jesus responds quickly to this division: 

“But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25-28, NLT

Pointed Clarity

Here are a few considerations of what Jesus does with the disciples at their point of division:

• Jesus is quick to respond: He gets everyone together. He does not give it time to blow up and divide everyone.
• He is clear about how greatness will work among them: It won’t be positions of greatness as they have seen modeled in the ruling class, politics, and religion. Instead, it will be a life of serving, submission, and sacrifice.
• There isn’t a discussion about how they feel about things: Jesus’ words aren’t up for a vote or a support circle for people to share their feelings. Jesus lovingly reinforces how it is in the Kingdom of God.

Encouragement

As a follower of Jesus, he wants us to know:

• Don’t seek your greatness.
• We are called to choose a life of submission to Christ, one that includes suffering and sacrifice.
• God the Father will take care of our influence, reputation, and standing in the Kingdom of God. We don’t need to worry about it at all.

Jesus also gives us a good example of leadership when members of the team get on each other:

• Get everyone together.
• State what is true about how we are going to work together.
• Get everyone focused on the right things.
• Don’t spend time chasing people’s feelings.
• Lead everyone in the right direction.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We are so tempted to position ourselves for greatness. Please forgive us when we make this mistake.

Guard us against the division created when we seek to place ourselves above others.

Thank you for making it clear that following you does include suffering, service, and sacrifice. Please help us to receive and grow in our understanding of what all of this means.

Thank you for letting us know that God the Father tends to reputation, influence, and standing in the Kingdom of God. We need not give it any more thought, other than to trust him.

Thank you for your leadership example in how you handled this divisiveness. Please help us to follow your example.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,

Amen.

Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. He also coaches and consults on board leadership and development, bringing fresh perspectives to complex situations. Ed authorizes a devotional series titled A Well-Planted Faith in an Uprooted Culture. His writing and speaking aim to challenge people to let God’s Word inform their lives. Ed and his wife, Bev, live on Camano Island, Washington, where they live out their mission statement: “to give our lives away for the cause of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.”

Learn from Others on the Journey to Thriving

You can watch or listen as you learn!

Explore this life-giving series graciously sponsored by ECFA.