Pursuit requires a Price

Matthew 20:20-23

Matthew 20:20 LEB

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling down she asked something from him.

Matthew 20:21

And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your kingdom.”

Matthew 20:22 LEB

But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”

Matthew 20:22-23 LEB

But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

I am now departing the theme for now concerning the Temple, the Fig Tree. I am now giving a prophetic word concerning the object of our pursuits.

Here we see the mother showing an unnatural ambition for her sons. But this ambition shows:
A misunderstanding of position in the Kingdom.
A misunderstanding of authority in the Kingdom.
A misunderstanding of life’s objective.
A misunderstanding of how ministry is given and operates
A misunderstanding of grace and how it is applied and operates!

All these aspects are so important that even our own motivations must come under the spotlight. Our local churches can be so structured that it breeds frustration, because our ministry expression can centre on platform ministry. This presents a subtle return to the laity and clergy system. We need urgently see a departure from the platform for it to be a platform for Body Ministry.

1. A misunderstanding of position in the Kingdom.
The more authority we are given the more servant hood is required. This means, ministers are literally servants of the Body. We step NOT up, but down! Jesus is shown in Ephesians 4 to go DOWN to the depths before being received up! Position is not superiority but humility. Position is not aspired for of men but given by God.
2. A misunderstanding of authority in the Kingdom.
Authority is bestowed not imposed. Authority is not exercised through our acts but in our character. Jesus received authority as much as He submitted to His Father!
3. A misunderstanding if life’s objective. We can sometimes be liked the elder brother of the parable of the Prodigal Son. We can concentrate on the duties of sonship instead of the companionship with the Father. That is the central theme of the Word, how God gets man back into intimacy.
If we concentrate on anything else we miss our true purpose.
4. A misunderstanding how ministry is given and operates
Ministry is received by God’s decision. This decision is not guided by any merit or if your face fits. It is God alone who bestows this favour. Anything outside of this is striving for something. When God truly gives us a ministry we will not need to strive for recognition. Recognition must come from Heaven first. God does not allow for contradictions, as recognition from men does come when it fulfils divine objectives.
5. A misunderstanding of grace, how it is applied and how it operates.
Without grace nothing would flow. Grace brings us how we are in our fallen, weak state, puts us into a place we did not deserve, so that out of our comprehension of this love we may be drawn to new levels of intimacy. This is not robotic but it happens because God enjoys us. Once we lose sight of grace we lose sight of how things flow, and introduces friction.
Getting back to the disciples’ mother and her ambition, brought greater insight into how the Kingdom operates. It shows that positions are not the same in the Kingdom as the world. Some positions in the Kingdom have no public exposure, but when hidden exercise the greatest influence throughout this same Kingdom.

Jesus shows us that to step up we must step down first. We must know the cost of what we aspire to. Jesus Asks:” can you endure the price of receiving that anointing? Can you walk in difficult places?

Surprising that they replied that they could pay that price. Jesus said they would! Let us think about the implications of our pursuit!