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The Threat of Disunity Among the Disciples

Text: Matthew 20 : 17 - 34

What were James and John thinking, when together with their mother, they approached Jesus and asked to be appointed to the highest positions of honour in the kingdom of God? Surely they did not think that they could keep their “private” request so carefully concealed that no one else would know about it? All too soon, the rest of the disciples heard about this request.

“And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased
with the two brothers.”
MATTHEW 20:24

Suddenly the threat of disunity became very real. This was not the time for them to have strained relationships among the disciples! If ever there was a need to feel a special sense of oneness with each other, this was the moment! They have to brace themselves for the ordeal of suffering that Jesus had foretold and forewarned.

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN DEPTH

Jesus knew the potential danger that threatened His small band of disciples. He must address the issue and He did – immediately and in depth!

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said,
‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and those who are great exercise authority over them.
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great
among you, let him be your servant.
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave –
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.'”
MATTHEW 20:25-28

1. Beneath the surface

The request made by James and John underscored the fact that beneath the surface, there were deep problems. Now that things had come to the open the wisest course of action would be to deal with the problems in depth!

a) Influence of the secular world

Whether the disciples were conscious of it, they had been subtly influenced by the world. This was one of the reasons why Jesus mentioned “the rulers of the Gentiles”. Their way was marked by “exercising great authority” over their subordinates.

b) Rejection of the secular model

The disciples must consciously work against the influence of the secular (“Gentile”) realm, if they were to serve the Lord well! There was no mistaking the firmness of this rejection in the phrase, ‘It shall not be so among you.’

2. The concept of ‘servant-leadership’

If the Gentile or secular model is rejected, what is the working concept for the disciples? Jesus introduced a classic model – ‘servant leadership’.

a) Greatness achieved through being a servant

Would the disciples like to be truly great? Then their thoughts must not be on sitting on thrones! Their thoughts must be on being a “servant” (“diakonos”). The focus of this work is the emphasis on performing the humblest of service – menial labour!

b) Being “first” is achieved through being a slave

The lowest rung in the social order of the Roman Empire was that of the slave (“doulos”). Slaves were treated like chattel. They had virtually “no value”. They received no pay for all the work they do. They had no rights. They had few privileges, if any at all. Who would want to be a slave? Yet, Jesus urged His disciples to consider this model of leadership! It was virtually unheard of!

3. Modeled after Jesus Himself

The disciples could not raise serious objections to this model – not after Jesus set the example of being a servant-leader!

a) The Messianic Son of Man came to serve

The disciples of Jesus kept forgetting this vital truth! If anybody deserved glory, Jesus would be the Person to receive it. However, glory and honour were not the things He searched for! He had not come to be served, but to serve (the verbal root word is “diakoneo” – to serve in the humblest of ways).

b) The extent of service

To what extent was Jesus prepared to go in service? He was prepared to die if so commanded by His Father. The plan of redemption for fallen mankind necessitated the death of Jesus! He was prepared to obey His Father completely!

DEALING A DEATH BLOW TO THE PROBLEM OF SELF

Jesus knew exactly why the disciples were struggling so much with thoughts of greatness. Ultimately, the culprit was “Self”!

The “uncleansed-self” desires recognition. The “recalcitrant-self” will always seek to promote self. “Sinful-self” will always be the most deadly enemy of true servanthood.

There is only one way to deal with the problem of self. It must be dealt a death blow! It must be dealt with in depth or the problem would keep surfacing up from time to time. The disciples must seek total cleansing from the sin of “self”.