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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 121 : What do you wish?

Text: Matthew 20
28 July 2024

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 JULY 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 20

Topic: “What do you wish?” Matthew 20:20

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

Matthew 20:20-24

1. The sons of Zebedee

a) James
b) John

2. The mother of James and John

a) She came to see the Lord Jesus
b) She had a request to make

3. The Lord Jesus graciously asked
“What do you wish?” Matthew 20:21a

4. The request of the mother

She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

Matthew 20:21b

a) A bold request
b) James and John
i) To sit on the right hand
ii) To sit on the left hand of the Lord in His kingdom

5. The Lord Jesus addressed James and John

But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

Matthew 20:22

a) You do not know what you ask
i) Ignorance
ii) Presumption
b) Questions
i) The cup given to the Lord to drink
ii) The baptism of the Lord

4. The bold reply

They said to Him, “We are able.”

Matthew 20:22b

5. The response of the Lord Jesus

So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Matthew 20:23

a) James and John
i) They will experience suffering
ii) They will also die for their faith
b) But their appointments
i) It is the Father who will decide
ii) It is given to those whom God has prepared

THE DISPLEASURE OF THE OTHER DISCIPLES

And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.

Matthew 20:24

1. They heard about this

2. They were greatly displeased

a) Upset
b) Friction
c) Anger

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. Watch out for Personal ambition even when serving the Lord

2. Watch out for Personality traits that seek to take advantage

3. Further spiritual maturity needed