Scripture

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over the people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.”

Observation

As Jesus travels towards Jerusalem, He takes the Twelve aside and tell them what is about to happen to Him. He will be betrayed and handed over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified but then He will rise from the dead.

The mother of James and John comes to Jesus with a request that her two sons sit on Jesus’ left and right in the Kingdom. Jesus says that He has no say in this as the Father has prepared the places of honour.

The Kingdom of God does not work like the kingdoms of this age. People flaunt their authority in all kinds of ways, but in Jesus’ Kingdom the leader must first be the servant of all. Jesus Himself came to serve and not to be served.

Application

Not so long ago, the people who run things in the world were somewhat humble about their role. We have always had the “elites”, people with wealth and influence. It has always been clear that there was an “Old Boys Network” where decisions were made in a kind of parallel universe to the visible systems of government.

Since the Covid scare, the people who used to be behind the scenes have become more obvious, more blatant. The “elites” have made it clear that they regard us deplorables with contempt and will ignore our opinions, desires, and aspirations.

Jesus says that in His Kingdom, there are to be no elites. Yes, we need leaders and people with the spiritual gifts to provide direction to the church, but they are of a different kind of leadership, a different heart. To be a leader in the Kingdom, you first have to be a servant, and to retain the heart of a servant.

Leadership in God’s Kingdom is relational. We love one another and we serve one another. As a pastor, I get to empty the church dishwasher, put out the chairs, and vacuum floors, not because it is my job, but because serving goes with the job.

Prayer

Lord, please give me a humble and submissive heart at all times. Amen.

Scripture

”He said to one of them, ‘ I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay the last worker the same as you.’”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. A land owner went out early in the day to hire workers. He hires some, but find it’s not enough, so he returns at various times in the day and hires more workers.

At the end of the day, he pays the workers from the last to be hired to the first. He pays them all the same amount, regardless of how long they worked. When those who started early in the morning complain, he says, “You agreed to work for this amount. Take your money and go. Don’t be jealous of my kindness to others.”

Jesus concludes by saying that those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first now will be last then.

Application

Jesus overturns all of our natural expectations. It seems unfair to pay a man who works all day the same as a man who only works an hour. On the other hand, both men need the same money to live on.

When we are tempted to say, “it’s not fair!” to God, we need to realise that God is not about fairness, but about grace. If God gives me enough grace for me, how can I complain when someone else seems to get a better deal? My eyes need to be on God, not on my brother.

Our concept of fairness arises because we live in a world of limited resources. If one person has a lot, it seems to be at the expense of someone who has less.

God is the God of more than enough. He has an infinite supply of everything. So for God to give a billion dollars to one person while giving one million dollars to somebody else, is not a lack of fairness. It is about what we can handle with wisdom and joy .

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for complaining about fairness, when I should be thanking you for abundance. Help me to focus on what others need from me rather than what I want from you. Amen.

Scripture

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Observation

Jesus tells His disciples that it is hard for rich people to enter the kingdom. In fact it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.

The disciples are astounded and ask Jesus how can anyone be saved? He tells them it is impossible by human standards, but with God everything is possible .

He goes on to tell them that in the age to come, these disciples will sit on twelve thrones. Many who are now the greatest will then be the least in the Kingdom, and many who are now unimportant will be the greatest.

Application

It is impossible for anyone to be saved through human effort alone. The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ words that rich people find it hard to enter the Kingdom. There was an assumption that being rich was a sign of God’s favour.

Jesus reminds them that the rich will be poor and the weak will be strong in the age of the Kingdom of Heaven. God overturns all of our expectations.

Nobody can be saved – rich or poor. But with God, the impossible becomes possible Jesus would soon die on the cross to open wide the gates of Heaven to all who would lay down their own lives and follow Him.

With God, all things are possible. The dead come to life; lepers are cleansed; money is provided; incurable diseases are cured.

We should never abandon hope. Rather, we need to trust the God who does the impossible.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your ability to save people who seem beyond redemption. You truly are the God of the impossible. Amen.