A Mother’s Request for her Two Sons: Matthew 20:20-28 Forest Hills Bible Chapel 23 August 2009

Some Background Information Matthew 20:1-16 – The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. “Equal pay for unequal work.” Such is the nature of the kingdom. Matthew 20:1-16 – The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. “Equal pay for unequal work.” Such is the nature of the kingdom. Matthew 20: Jesus speaks plainly to his disciples of what awaits him in Jerusalem – a death sentence, mockery, flogging, crucifixion. And, on the third day, resurrection. Matthew 20: Jesus speaks plainly to his disciples of what awaits him in Jerusalem – a death sentence, mockery, flogging, crucifixion. And, on the third day, resurrection.

Some Background Information The mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) may have been Salome, Mary’s sister. This would have given perceived leverage to the request. The mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) may have been Salome, Mary’s sister. This would have given perceived leverage to the request. Perhaps Mary’s (and her sons’) request was prompted by statements of Jesus which were misunderstood, or only partially understood. See Matthew 19:28. Perhaps Mary’s (and her sons’) request was prompted by statements of Jesus which were misunderstood, or only partially understood. See Matthew 19:28.

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons Mary asks, on behalf of her sons, for the two most prominent places in his coming kingdom – vv Mary asks, on behalf of her sons, for the two most prominent places in his coming kingdom – vv Jesus informs her, and her sons, that she does not even know what she is asking! – v. 22a. Jesus informs her, and her sons, that she does not even know what she is asking! – v. 22a. The disciples didn’t even begin to understand what service to Jesus Christ entails – vv. 22b-23. The disciples didn’t even begin to understand what service to Jesus Christ entails – vv. 22b-23.

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons The action of these two disciples, via their mother, caused anger and indignation among the followers of Jesus. – v. 24. The action of these two disciples, via their mother, caused anger and indignation among the followers of Jesus. – v. 24. Jesus reminds his disciples, and us, that the values of the world’s rulers are not the values of the followers of Jesus – vv a. Jesus reminds his disciples, and us, that the values of the world’s rulers are not the values of the followers of Jesus – vv a. Jesus is our example for how we are not to lord it over one another, but we are to serve one another – vv. 26b-28. Jesus is our example for how we are not to lord it over one another, but we are to serve one another – vv. 26b-28.

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:12-14

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. – John 17:22-23 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. – John 17:22-23

A Mother’s Request for Her Two Sons But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16