Less of Me

Introduction

One of the things that we know to be true is that how the world thinks about things and how God thinks about things are often at opposite ends of the spectrum. It doesn’t matter how far along you are in your walk of faith, we start our journey recognizing that how we see us in this world and how God sees us are two different things. We see ourselves as being pretty good people when compared to others; God sees us as sinners in need of salvation. The journey of faith begins with us acknowledging that truth. It may take some time for us to be convinced but that truth begins our journey with earnest.

The world says accumulation of things is best; God says give for others. The world says pursue pleasure for its own sake; God says pleasure is fleeting and doesn’t bring ultimate fulfillment. The world says power brings control; God says empty yourself just as Jesus did. We could go on. The world’s view and God’s view are opposite. We meet here every week in order to realign ourselves with God’s thinking. Sometimes we come and go through the motions of our assembly. Sometimes we come with our hearts full and are ready to express our praise to our God. Sometimes we come and wonder if any of this makes any difference. God’s promise to each of us is that he is here. He does not promise an end to our suffering or our struggle. What he promises is that he will not leave you nor forsake you. He promises to never let you go and to provide what you need to meet each challenge.

Let’s continue thinking about our God who makes and fulfills promises. We continue today with our series on beings servants of God.

A Mother’s Request

Most mothers do a great job of letting their children grow into adulthood. But based on what I have been told, there is still a part of every mother that thinks about their children even after the child leaves home. This is not to suggest that father’s do not think about their children but many times mother’s demonstrate their concern a bit more than father’s do. Still there is a time when parents have to allow their child to handle their own business. While children may seek advice or even money, the wise parent knows that the child must be allowed to succeed or fail without parental intervention. This process begins at an early age and eventually culminates in adulthood.

Part of what makes this text a bit humorous is that James and John’s mother begins the request for a special place in Jesus’ kingdom. James and John are fisherman. They have carried on the family business. Fishing is hard work. I would imagine these men are well-muscled. They are accustomed to being out on the lake fishing in terrible weather; at night; in times of peril. These men have faced all kinds of difficulties. But here is their mother to ask Jesus for something on their behalf. Back in Matthew 19:28, Jesus had promised the disciples their own thrones when he came into his kingdom. Based upon this promise (although misunderstood) the boys go to their mother to ask her to ask Jesus for this favor. Perhaps in their minds, Jesus would not refuse a woman.

Jesus quickly turns his attention to James and John. His question about drinking the cup and their quick acceptance of the challenge demonstrates that they did not understand what they were being asked. In an effort to gain power and position within the kingdom, they were willing to agree to anything. Jesus assures them that drinking the cup is going to be theirs. But places of power were not his to give.

Verse 24 tells us how the other disciples responded. Their indignation was more related to their failure to get to Jesus first. So great was the disharmony that Jesus called the 12 together to explain things. Jesus’ explanation reveals how this world works. Power is typical of rulers. To exercise authority over carries the idea of controlling one’s body. Then in verse 26 the “Not” is in the emphatic position. This means that it is emphasized almost shouted. Jesus says that power is how the world operates but not in his kingdom. His kingdom is not about power; it is about serving.

If you want to be great, then be a servant. You want to be first, then be a slave. Be like me Jesus says. I came to serve people; I came to give my life as a ransom. This word means to buy the freedom of a slave. I came to give my life so that others can be free.

Application

Relationships are based either on power or serving. Power is not just what the world encourages; it is what the world rewards. The more power the more influence; the more you get what you want; the more you get to be on top and get others to do what you want. This power is not only seductive it is rewarding. It appeals to our human views of how to get what you want in this world. It is better to be at the top than the bottom. This thinking takes over the thinking of God’s people too. But Jesus says serving others is the thinking and action of his people.

Serving means people will take advantage of you. Serving means that you will be on the bottom not the top. Serving means that you have to clean up the spill rather than telling someone else to do it. And Jesus says all of these things are true as the world views it but God sees it differently. In God’s eyes you will be first, you will be great.

Serving others means that we become less so that God can become more. Serving means that we want others to be helped rather than seeking help. Serving means that are not interested in the applause of men but the promise of God. How different our approach to this world would be if we listened to God.

How different would your marriage be if you served your spouse with gladness rather than trying to change your spouse? How different would your relationship with your parents be if you served them rather than fought with them about control? How different would your life at school and work be if you served your co-workers rather than trying to carve out your niche of power? How different would your stress level be if you learned that living like Jesus in this world was to demonstrate serving rather than what you can win and get from others? Even those who are given power through work or school know there is a difference between getting what you want rather than thinking about what is best for the worker who is at the bottom.

A.W. Tozer wrote: The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of ten thousand temporal problems for he sees at once that these have to do with matters which at the most cannot concern him very long. James and John lived at a time when the promise of power and control captivated them so that they wanted to be as close to the top as possible. Jesus reminds us that our motivation for this life is not found in being at the top but serving others. May we learn that less of me means more of God. May we realign our actions and our thinking with the assurance of God’s promises.

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