The Commands of Christ - Matthew 20:25-28

"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 become 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

To whom is this command spoken?

Spoken to the twelve disciples

What does this command require?

Whoever desires to be the greatest, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.

What truths do we learn here?

The follower of Jesus must be humble. The mother of James and John asked Jesus in the previous verses to grant that her sons sit on either side of Jesus in His kingdom. They wanted the place of prominence. The other disciples didn't like this. They were 'greatly displeased.' I get the feeling that this is an understatement. They were probably upset that they didn't think of asking Jesus this question first. 

I like the imagery we have here about Jesus. It says He 'called them to Himself.' I get the picture that Jesus calms the situation down, brings them all together, and quietly explains the situation. Jesus brings peace to great arguments.

Principles of leadership in the secular world are completely opposite from the principles that Jesus lays out here for his disciples. The Gentiles lorded their authority over their subjects. But it was not to be this way with the disciples. The disciples were to be servants-leaders. They were to follow Jesus example, who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Let me ask you a question: Would you give your life in service of anyone? Most of us would answer, sure, I'd give my life for my family, or my friends. But would you give your life in service of someone that hates you? Would you make the greatest sacrifice so that another might live? I turn to Jim Elliot for advice here. He said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Whoever desires to be greatest among you, let him be your servant.

What are the consequences for disobedience and the blessings of obedience?

The first shall be last and the last shall be first.