Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - 2nd Week of Lent - Wed
[Jer 18:18-20 and Matt 20:17-28]"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." [Matthew]
The words of Jesus quoted above are in response to a request from the mother of the sons of Zebedee (James and John) that Jesus give preference of place to her sons in his "kingdom." This request comes right after Jesus has predicted his fate in Jerusalem! It is as if his prediction had not been heard at all. In fact, the other ten were indignant at the "end run" attempted by James and John! Jesus calls them all together for a little reality check. Their model of "kingdom" is not Jesus' model. Jesus is not a politician and did not come to establish a political "kingdom."
Jesus' kingdom is one of love and service for others. He makes that very clear in the parable of the last judgment later on in the Gospel According to Matthew (25:31-45). Jesus warns James and John that they will indeed share in his fate and "kingdom, " not as rulers but as servants. "Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
We are accustomed nowadays to saying "Thank you for your service!" to military, police, firefighters, etcl who wear uniforms testifying to their service. We may do the same for those who are clergy or religious. But we are all called in Jesus' kingdom to be servants of others. Perhaps, in Lent, we might ask ourselves in what ways we do serve others? What do we do to put skin on the kingdom of Jesus? AMEN