Paradox of Christianity (A)
Have you ever said something that you regretted later? Matthew 20:20-28 could be titled, “What was I thinking?” The mother of James and John made a request of Jesus, “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) Jesus’ response was “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” (v. 22) Glory in God’s Kingdom goes to those who suffer for Christ. There is a cost of discipleship. Jesus replied, “You will drink my cup.” (v. 23) And they did: James was beheaded by King Herod (Acts 12:2); John was tortured and exiled (Revelation 1:9). Places of honor are chosen by God, “for whom it has been prepared.” Greatness and leadership is different among believers and non-believers. Unbelievers tend to become dictatorial in style because of power and authority in the grip of human nature. Believers lead by being servants and giving themselves away, as Jesus Himself did. At the very heart of Christianity is an attitude of giving sacrificially—“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The world tells you to get all that you can get, but in order to be like Jesus, you must give, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (v. 28) There’s the paradox! You must die in order to live. Christian sacrifice begins with having a cause to join—“a ransom for many.” The early disciples left everything to follow Jesus because they were captured by a cause: the gospel message. We have the same choice: to live selfishly for ourselves or to give selflessly for others. Christian sacrifice continues with following the example of Jesus—“to serve, and to give his life.” Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for us. Does He expect any less from us?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.