Thy Strong Word — Matthew 20:20-34. Unbelievable mercy to unbelievable sinners: Christ served us, we serve in His name.

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Rev. Martin Schultheis, pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 20:20-34.

“Mother knows best” brings up many questions as we look at James and John’s mother’s request. We can be quick to judge the requests and others without reflecting on what we might do in the same situation. Jesus’ mother asked for her son’s to have a place of honor in His kingdom, the disciples probably desired the same thing, but the blind men asked for mercy. In His mercy, He served us by our cross and, living in us calls us to serve others in His name. “Lord God, as Your Son came to serve, help us to be servants of others. Fill our hearts with faith and our lips to seek Your mercy that, by Your Strength we may serve You and others faithfully. In Christ, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Matthew 20:20-34

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,[a] 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,[b] 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord,[c] have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

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Footnotes

Matthew 20:26 Greek diakonos

Matthew 20:27 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)

Matthew 20:30 Some manuscripts omit Lord

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org