Not This Way

Author: Joseph

Date: December 3, 2023

The two sons of Zebedee, Jacob and Johanan (“James” and “John”) attempt to secure a place of rulership in Yeshua’s kingdom for themselves. Perhaps these sons’ mother was herself motivated to ask, or she was urged by her sons to ask on their behalf, but either way, she asks Yeshua to place them at His right and left position in His kingdom. Yeshua knows this is not their place and states, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). They eagerly reply that they are able. But they do not understand even still what they are asking.

God had already chosen these positions for whom they have been prepared for, and Yeshua also knew this. He then tells them what He does know and that is that they will die for the sake of their discipleship to Him, just as He was destined to die as well. He tells them what they do not fully understand, “My cup you shall drink,” revealing their martyrdom to come (Matthew 20:23). In that moment they did not understand this meaning and neither did the disciples, who clearly showed signs of jealousy upon hearing Yeshua’s response. Seeing an opportunity for teaching them an important aspect of God’s kingdom, Yeshua gathers the disciples upon seeing their jealousy.

The nations, He says, lord over each other, exercising their authority over one another by their power and position. The greater the position held, the greater influence, power, and authority. However, this was the thinking of the world and was contrary to God’s ways. Yeshua talks about the way the nations behave towards one another and says, “It is not this way among you” (Matthew 20:26). He did not say “it should not be this way among you,” but rather “it is not this way among you.” It is an unchangeable truth that they are not to relate to one another that way.

Before Israel had a man as king, they had a prophet, Samuel, who served the people, traveling all the days of his life to guide the people in God’s ways (1 Samuel 7:15-17). He lived in a house, not a palace. He did not govern Israel, He only spoke the word of God to the people and let God do the governing through His judgments and peace. Samuel did not take anything from the people, not defraud them, or oppress them (1 Samuel 12:1-5). Israel was warned that wanting to be governed as the nations were, by a human king, would bring them to cry out to God because of the burden of his oppression (1 Samuel 8:10-22). They did not heed Samuel’s warnings, and eventually this very way of life led them to calamity, death, and exile.

Yeshua’s kingdom is not this way. God is the perfect King and people who are given authority under Him are the humble, meek, and the servants. Samuel served the people by God’s authority all the days of his life and so did many others (Moses, Joshua, David, Josiah, etc.). Anyone given authority in God’s kingdom is given authority to serve, not to rule tyrannically or for personal gain. When Moses did not honor God and struck the rock instead of speaking to it in the wilderness, he was not allowed to enter the land of promise. When King Saul began to serve his self-interest, he was rejected by God, as he disobeyed God in order to please the people and pride his own reputation. Many of the kings were struck down by God when they sought to ignore God’s laws or to abuse their authority for personal gain. This is not the way of the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is ruled by Him alone and everyone under His kingship is to serve one another in humility through knowing this.

"God’s kingdom is ruled by Him alone..."

The way of the nations is for their “great men to exercise authority over them” (Matthew 20:25). Their own authority, their position, their power is used as a means of forcing their will. It is not this way in God’s kingdom. Authority and position are designated by God and are not something irrevocable. Moses had to pass down his authority to another who would honor God as the people entered the land of promise. Saul’s kingdom was ripped from him when he disobeyed and given instead to David. God gives and takes as He knows is right.

You want to become great? Yeshua says to become a servant. Do you wish to be first? Then you are to be a slave. A servant is not above his Master, and Yeshua Himself came not “to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:27). To function in Yeshua’s kingdom, we must also be like Him. Even more so, we should understand that since He is King and was like a servant, how far less are we to be since He is so far above us in stature.

Do not ask for what you do not understand. If you ask for greatness and you are a member of the Kingdom of God, then you will be brought low in humility. The sons of Zebedee were not given a place of authority, but were given the humble death of a disciple of Yeshua. How should we live then in order to achieve greatness? We should not be chasing after the “greatness” this world has to give, but rather, seek after becoming a servant, a slave, for Yeshua. Whatever God has for us as we pursue servitude and selflessness will be our portion. Do not envy the “successful” Christian or the “prosperous” believer. Who knows where they stand in God’s kingdom (if at all) due to them receiving their reward here on earth in worldly successes and worldly position of influence. Instead of envying others in their “power,” know that God alone determines where each of us stands in His Kingdom (or outside of it). This severe reality, this humble position should be at the forefront of how we see ourselves and how we live our lives for Him.

Matthew 20:20-28

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org