Who Is Jesus? Part 3Намуна

Built Different

In this chapter, we find another crazy question that Jesus uses to teach us about His Kingdom. This time, it’s James and John’s mother requesting a favor on behalf of her sons. 

… She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” Matthew 20:21 NIV 

Wow. Bold. She didn’t really know what she was asking for, except a place of honor for her kids. Which follows in the vein of Peter’s question from the last chapter. What are my kids actually getting out of following you around all this time, sir? How can you make it worth their while? 

Here’s Jesus’ reply. He again redirects the focus: 

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-28 NIV

Jesus is built differently, and He introduced a very different kind of kingdom. Compared to the kingdoms of this world, where the strong have ruled over the weak, kings have often led with self-serving decrees, and people with power have oppressed those less fortunate, Jesus’ Kingdom is upside down and backwards. It’s a kingdom where the greatest serve the least, the King leads with sacrificial love, and those with power use it for the good of others. 

Jesus is not the kind of king who sends his people to die for him. He’s the kind of king who willingly sacrificed Himself for His people. With Him, it’s not about power, privilege, or position. It’s about service, sacrifice, and humility. These are the characteristics that lead to greatness in the Kingdom of heaven. 

So how can we continue to flip our thinking? How can we learn to live in this kingdom with this King who’s built so differently? We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is the Pioneer, the Founder of the whole thing. And it’s all about Him.