Paradoxes of the Faith: The Ruler Must be a Servant I. Introduction A. Let us now examine another paradox of the faith B. We remember that a paradox is a statement that on the surface may seem absurd or contrary to conventional wisdom C. The following statement assuredly fits this definition D. In Matthew 20:20-27, we see that the mother of the sons of Zebedee (= James and John) appeal to Jesus to grant that her children will be on the left and right hands of Jesus in His Kingdom 1. She does not understand the Kingdom but expects Jesus to rule over a political entity centered in Jerusalem 2. the disciples do not understand, either, since they are angered that James/John made the appeal and not them 3. Jesus recognizes this misunderstanding and presents the paradox 4. vv. 26-28: the great must be the servant, the one who would be first must be the slave, as the Son of Man came to serve E. Let us spend some time analyzing each portion of the paradox and gain understanding from the Scriptures II. Matthew 20:26: "But whoever would be great among you will be your servant" A. This statement comes right after the declaration that even though the great ones/kings of the Gentiles exercise authority over them and lord it over them, "it will not be so with you" (vv. 25-26) B. The idea of the great one as the servant runs completely against "conventional wisdom" 1. the "great" ought to be the one with the best breeding, education, capabilities, etc. 2. the servant, according to the same logic, is the one lacking in all such categories 3. in worldly terms, you would not want your servant being your ruler! C. In spiritual terms, however, the servant is the only one with the essential qualities for leading 1. The Greek word for "servant" here is diakonos-- the same word translated as "deacon" in 1 Timothy 3 2. any and every Christian is always subject to his Lord (Romans 14:3-13); therefore, even if they reach the pinnacle of authority they still are servants of their Master 3. The humility, concern for pleasing the master, obedience-- all characteristics of the servant that make for the best person D. Many other passages demonstrate the importance of the servant and his actions 1. Matthew 24:45-51: the contrast between the wise and foolish servant a. the wise servant takes care of the master's house b. the foolish one abuses it 2. Matthew 25:14-30: servants and talents a. the good servants take the Master's goods and bring increase to Him b. the unprofitable servant does nothing with the Master's goods, and even what he has is taken from him 3. Luke 17:7-10: what servants do a. servants are not to think that they deserve the good life for doing their job b. they are to consider themselves unworthy, doing only that which was their duty E. The paradox, therefore, ought to be apparent: the great Christian is the ultimate servant of Christ, humble, treating his fellow man with love and using what God gave him for His glory, and one who always looks to God for his source of authority and action, recognizing that he is only doing what he ought to do III. Matthew 20:27: "Whoever would be first among you must be his slave" A. This statement is similar to the previous, yet with a stronger term B. slave is the Greek doulos, which is even more socially degrading than diakonos C. In worldly terms, a servant at least had the freedom to choose to serve a certain person or whatnot; a slave did not even have that freedom, and the direction of his life was at the mercy of his master D. The idea that one would willingly become a slave to someone is incomprehensible in worldly terms, but in spiritual terms it is necessary E. Philippians 2:3-4: we are to esteem everyone above ourselves and always give consideration to the needs of others before ourselves F. Romans 6:16-23: Paul expresses the truth that we all are slaves, but we must choose to whom we are enslaved: God or Satan G. 1 Corinthians 7:23: since we have been "bought for a price," we are to recognize that we are slaves of Christ (7:22) and ought not be enslaved by men H. The slave, even more than the servant, knows humility and devotion to the master and considers himself completely unworthy of power I. The conclusion of this statement, therefore, is the same as the previous: any Christian who desires to be considered great or first in the kingdom must be the one who has humbled himself the most, has served others the most, has been obedient, etc. IV. Matthew 20:28: even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve A. A fitting concluding paradoxical statement! B. 1 Corinthians 11:1: we are to imitate Christ, and He is the ultimate servant C. Philippians 2:5-11: Jesus' great humiliation leads to His great exaltation D. John 13:3-16: Jesus washes the feet of His disciples-- the most degrading and humiliating act that could be done E. Throughout His life and ministry Jesus expended Himself for the people and in the will of the Father, and was not served F. Contrast this with what the Jews expected for their Messiah, and the reality of kingship (Matthew 20:25-26) 1. The Messiah was to overthrow any power oppressing Israel and would rule the world from Jerusalem 2. The Messiah would be the ultimate king 3. Ancient kings did not act as servant to anyone, and did not even serve themselves! 4. All things were done for them 5. Even after Christ, the attitudes He represents-- humility, meekness, compassion-- often run contrary to authority 6. All countries-- including our own-- cannot show meekness but must be strong and confident so that foreign policy may be to our advantage 7. Any sign of humility, apology, or meekness would be understood as weakness and therefore vulnerability G. Jesus, however, came to save from sin and to rule over a spiritual kingdom (John 6:15, John 18:36) 1. Jesus did overthrow the spiritual powers of darkness 2. He is the ultimate king 3. Jesus not only was not served but in fact served others to the point of death! 4. The greatest Christians have modeled themselves after their Savior and have been humble, meek, gentle, and in all ways a servant, not one served H. One of the most radical concepts that Jesus gives to us is the idea that the humble amongst us is the greatest-- one that the world has been aware of for 2,000 years, but cannot and does not recognize its value V. Conclusion A. Faced with the misunderstandings even of His own disciples, and seeing their worldly thinking, Jesus presents us with three paradoxical statements B. When the world would provide us with great people and leaders as well-bred, upright, rich, confident (perhaps arrogant), having things done for him and not "degraded" in any way... C. ...the Lord presents for us that the greatest in His Kingdom is the servant, the humble, the lowly, the one who acts in obedience to God without expectation of special reward...just as He was! D. The characeristics seen generally as weak by the world are the strength of the Christian! E. Matthew 11:28-30 represents the promise of this gentle and lowly Savior-- if you have never come to Him, do so today. His yoke is light, and He will guide you! F. If you have come to Him, yet need encouragement to be a better servant of Christ, let us help you in any way we can as we stand and sing