Read Matthew 20:17-28

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time

17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Discuss:

1. What stands out to you from this passage?

2. How does this passage build on what we have looked at in recent weeks from Matthew 19?

   (Jesus inviting children, Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler, showing his standard of what makes someone great is very different to ours.)
   

3. Read Isaiah 53:1-10, what does this add to our understanding of Jesus as a servant?

4. When do you feel the pull towards greatness?

5. When does servanthood feel unattractive to you?

6. What help does this passage give in these moments?

Pray

What are the truths could you reflect on as we head into Easter?
Is there anyone you want to pray for, that you might have opportunities to invite them to hear about the Good news this easter?