HE MODELS GREATNESS (3 OF 4)
by Tony Thomas
Scripture: Matthew 20:20-29
This content is part of a series.
He Models Greatness (3 of 4)
Series: Who Is Jesus?
Tony Thomas
Matthew 20:20-29
Cassius Clay was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began boxing at the age of twelve, and six years later he won a Gold Medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Four years later he upset Sonny Liston to win the world's heavyweight boxing title.
Then he converted to Islam, and he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali used to brag: ''There's not a man alive who can whup me! I'm too fast! I'm too smart! I'm too pretty! I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever get licked!''
In contrast to Muhammed Ali, Jesus said (Matthew 20):
26 Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your willing and humble slave.
28 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
We're in a series called Who Is Jesus? - And we're highlighting some of his major attributes. In Hebrews 1, Jesus is the greatest teacher; in Hebrews 4, Jesus is our great empathizer; but in Matthew 20, Jesus is our model of greatness.
Matthew and Mark both tell this story with each writer emphasizing different details. Jesus was aware that the Twelve had been arguing, and when he asked why they were embarrassed to say. Truth is, they were arguing over bragging rights! Each disciple felt that he was better than any other disciple in the group.
It all happened so fast that when the story was reconstructed, one detail was a little fuzzy. Mark tells us that James and John approached Jesus, while Matthew says that Salome asked Jesus for a favor. Regardless of who made the initial request, the result was the same: ten disciples were unhappy with the remaining two.
The disciples of Jesus fell prey to the natural but insidious desire to be No. 1, regardless! Interestingly enough, Jesus didn't scold or reprimand his closest followers. He understood that it's natural for peo ...
Series: Who Is Jesus?
Tony Thomas
Matthew 20:20-29
Cassius Clay was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He began boxing at the age of twelve, and six years later he won a Gold Medal in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Four years later he upset Sonny Liston to win the world's heavyweight boxing title.
Then he converted to Islam, and he changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Ali used to brag: ''There's not a man alive who can whup me! I'm too fast! I'm too smart! I'm too pretty! I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever get licked!''
In contrast to Muhammed Ali, Jesus said (Matthew 20):
26 Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your willing and humble slave.
28 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
We're in a series called Who Is Jesus? - And we're highlighting some of his major attributes. In Hebrews 1, Jesus is the greatest teacher; in Hebrews 4, Jesus is our great empathizer; but in Matthew 20, Jesus is our model of greatness.
Matthew and Mark both tell this story with each writer emphasizing different details. Jesus was aware that the Twelve had been arguing, and when he asked why they were embarrassed to say. Truth is, they were arguing over bragging rights! Each disciple felt that he was better than any other disciple in the group.
It all happened so fast that when the story was reconstructed, one detail was a little fuzzy. Mark tells us that James and John approached Jesus, while Matthew says that Salome asked Jesus for a favor. Regardless of who made the initial request, the result was the same: ten disciples were unhappy with the remaining two.
The disciples of Jesus fell prey to the natural but insidious desire to be No. 1, regardless! Interestingly enough, Jesus didn't scold or reprimand his closest followers. He understood that it's natural for peo ...
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