Matthew 20:20–28
A Mother’s Request
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(ESV)
A Servant’s Seat
As we continue through Advent, I am reminded of the many holiday gatherings with extended family I have enjoyed through the years. Depending on how much of the family came together on a particular year, there was a good chance that it took multiple tables to seat everyone for dinner. The most common division—maybe you’ve experienced this holiday table arrangement yourself—was to have a “kid table” and an “adult table.” As a child, there was always a certain allure to the “adult table”—I figured you knew you had made it once you were old enough to join the adults. Now, as an adult who is a bit of a child-at-heart (I am in youth ministry, after all), I’ve spent a good amount of time at both tables, and can safely say that the adult table is best for catching up on family news, but the kid table is more fun.
In Jesus’ day—as in many cultures today—where you were seated served as a mark of status. In Mark 20:20–28, the mother of two of Jesus’ disciples makes a bid to upgrade her sons’ seating arrangement. She boldly requests, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom” (v. 21). These two sons themselves claim that they can keep up with Jesus—they can even drink the cup he is to drink.
We would do well to pay attention to Jesus’ response. His words capture the very heart of the incarnation. In contrast to authoritative application of power, Jesus our Messiah came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (v. 28). If anyone had a right to claim his status—to hold onto his high seat at the table—it was the Son of God himself! But that’s not what Jesus did.
At Christmas we see the degree to which the Son of God chose to humble himself as a servant. The Infinite, in the form of an infant. The Almighty, surrounded by animals. The Divine, born in the dirt. There was no step of humility that he did not take to serve and to save.
How might you be “a servant to all” this Christmas season? In the midst of a season of great busyness, it can be easy to turn inward. Let us as Christ-followers hold onto our status, our time, and our resources with the open hands of a servant, and with eager eyes for how we might give ourselves in love to God and neighbor this season.
David Engstrom