Journey to ResolveResolution 12: Serve Others without the Glory

 

The Stanley Cup. One of the most revered trophies in professional sports. The cup itself has never changed, and it is the only professional trophy to display the names of every player of the championship team each year. As a hockey fan, I’ve seen this trophy in person. Not as my home team skated around the ice with it after winning the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That hasn’t happened yet. I’ve seen it in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto where it stands protected and honored most of the year.

One thing I appreciate about the great sport of hockey: There isn’t a lot of glory outside of teamwork. Don’t get me wrong, the sport has its share of superstars, but, in its typically low-scoring gameplay, even the superstars thrive only within well-managed, cooperative team play. Teammates continually support and assist each other with humility as they work in unison to get the puck past the opposing goaltender. I imagine most hockey players are not in the game for individual glory. Maybe there’s something we can learn from their example. This has the makings of a good New Years resolution.

It’s the perfect time of year for New Years resolutions, but we’ve been talking about them since the middle of 2024! When we started this series, I never imagined we would find ourselves in 2026 as we continue in our study of every 20:24, 20:25, or 20:26 verse in the Bible – 15 in all. There are 4 more resolutions in this series and we are finally in the New Testament. What a great time we had understanding a little more about Israel’s biblical history in the Old Testament and exploring the fact that those old stories directly relate to our relationship with God today. Now, in the New Testament book of Matthew, we can picture Jesus in human skin after His disciples asked Him, “Who...is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew18:1).

Much like today, there were classes of society when Jesus walked the earth. Some citizens were devalued and marginalized, while others thought highly of themselves. In Matthew 20, we read a familiar story in which the mother of James and John asked Jesus to seat her sons at His right and left when He ruled His kingdom. After all, Jesus Himself referred to them as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).

This story is nestled within a string of stories about the value of people and the faulty perception many have about those who seem to be lesser members of society. In answer to the disciples’ question about who is the greatest, Jesus told them they need to become like little children, lowering themselves in order to become great in His kingdom. He assured them that He cares about every person; and, comparing people to sheep, He explained He would step away from 99 of them just to find one if it wandered away.

Many of the stories in this last section of teaching before Jesus was betrayed had to do with mercy and the value of others. He also healed two blind men who immediately followed Him. Even before He healed them, the eyes of their hearts were open enough to recognize who they were in relation to their Savior and Lord. Regardless of who we are and what we have accomplished, eternity is for those who humbly come to Jesus and follow Him.

The story about James and John and their mother’s request sets the scene for Resolution #12: I will serve others without the glory. Here’s our 20:26 verse for this resolution (along with verses 25 and 27):

 

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.

Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you
must be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first must be your slave

 

Matthew 20:25-27

The topic of greatness couldn’t have been more ill-timed, besides being largely inappropriate. Jesus had just finished telling his disciples that He would be arrested, mocked, flogged, and crucified (Matthew 20:17-19). This was imminent. He also told them He would raise up from His grave and live! What would we have expected James and John and the rest of the disciples to have said at that point?

“Jesus. Say it isn’t so.”

“This can’t be, Jesus. You are the Son of the Most High.”

“How can this happen to you? You have done nothing wrong.”

Anything but, “please give us a place of honor in your kingdom.”

But don’t we do that to Jesus, too?

“Jesus, I don’t always honor your name, and I sometimes use it in vain, but please help me through my day.”

“Oh God, it would be so good if you can help me make this sale.”

“Lord, please take away my pain. It is too much.”

There’s nothing wrong with telling God these things, but maybe we also need to set aside some time to mourn His suffering. Maybe we can honor and praise Him more for His love and sacrifice. Maybe we can serve Him without asking anything in return. Maybe we can just sit and acknowledge how undeserving we are in light of all He gave and forgave when He offered eternity to us.

Don’t miss this truth: Seeking special honor should never be our priority. Ever. And the places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom should not our concern (Matthew 20:23). Ever.

 

**** Click to tweet ****

Seeking special honor
should never be our priority.
Ever.
(Matthew 20:20-23)

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I wonder if James, John, and their mother understood that sitting at Jesus’ right and left would come at a cost – a cost higher than what they’d already expended, and higher than what they imagined for their future. Receiving honor at Jesus’ side means following Him as if to the cross. For loving and following Jesus, by comparison, means we hate our mother, and family, and even ourselves (Luke 14:25-27). It means giving up much of what we naturally enjoy as satisfying and pleasant and comfortable. It means difficulty and hardship, even ridicule and rejection. It means giving Jesus control over our lives and giving up everything in favor of Him (Luke 14:33).

This is not an easy message. It is not an easy way of life. It is not a life that pursues honor or seeks places of recognition. But, praise God, it is one that He honors.

So, instead of elevating ourselves, our priority should be on serving others (Matthew 20:25-28).

The other disciples “were indignant” when they heard about the mother’s request for those two places of honor for her sons (Matthew 20:24). All 12 of them wanted to be honored. But Jesus warned them about the danger of sitting in a position of power – that power can overpower our hearts to where we overlook and even squash those whom we serve. This is why those of us who have elevated roles must remind ourselves continuously that we are in our positions to serve people. We must think about each person who may benefit from what we do. Think about those who take our service for granted, as well.

 

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Power can overpower our hearts
to where we overlook
and even squash
those whom we serve.

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And, so, Jesus warned them: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26-27). And He ended with the example of Himself:

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.

Matthew 20:28

 

I’m afraid we sometimes don’t have sacrifice in mind when we serve, but service is not service without it. In fact, seeking to serve should be our priority. This is especially true of those who wish to be elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-12). These are positions of service to others and, especially, to God.

I’ll close with Psalm 115. The psalmist wrote about God’s mercy, grace, love, kindness and faithfulness to us. By comparison, any idols we may craft and worship leave us deathly short. They are lifeless and powerless.

Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. 

Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

Psalm 115:1-8

 

3 more resolutions to come...

The resolutions and Bible books in this series:

I will…

1. Worship God Alone (Exodus 20:24)
2. Be More Holy (Leviticus 20:24)
3. Aim High (Numbers 20:24)
4. Trust in God’s Strength (Judges 20:25)
5. Nurture Quality Friendships (1 Samuel 20:25)
6. Stand for God’s Government (2 Samuel 20:25)
7. Follow God through Highs and Lows (1 Kings 20:25)
8. Let God Win My Battles (2 Chronicles 20:25)
9. Rise Above the Naysayers (Job 20:25)
10. Trust God’s Ways (Proverbs 20:25)
11. Allow God to Correct Me (Ezekiel 20:25)
12. Serve Others Without the Glory (Matthew 20:25)
13. Rely On the Wisdom of God (Luke 20:25)
14. Trust the Words of My Savior (John 20:25)
15. Complete the Work God Has for Me (Acts 20:25)

 

If you want to dialog more about walking with God as your companion, feel free to leave a comment or email me at authordlv@att.net. God wants to be our companion in life and for life.

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