JUNE 21,  Matthew 20:20-21

Today’s passage reveals an ugly side of human character that is in every one of us- selfishness. People are generally selfish. They think of themselves before others. They place themselves above everyone and even above God. This is sin.

Today’s text introduces us to a woman, also the mother of 2 disciples of Jesus - James and John - Mrs Zebedee. She approached Jesus and asked Jesus for a big favour. What was that? It was to elevate her 2 sons to the most important positions when Jesus rules. Is that a godly request? What does that request show?

It was not godly in a few ways. First of all, she doesn’t understand that the rule of Jesus was not to be on earth, to free the Jews from the Romans. Mrs Zebedee didn’t understand the kingdom of Jesus is a spiritual one, and not a political one on earth. And what does this request show? It showed her selfishness. Although she didn’t ask anything for herself, by asking for her 2 sons, she was putting them ahead of all others. Did Jesus accede to her request? Of course not!

We may be like Mrs Zebedee in many ways. Perhaps in the way we pray – sometimes we pray we would top the class. Or that your parents may be wealthy. These are not prayers that God would like to hear for they show we are thinking only of ourselves. It is good and necessary to study hard, but God doesn’t want each and every one of us to top our class. What God wants, in our studies, is to try our best and still honour God in the process by being a good Christian while studying hard. And how about wealth for parents? That is also wrong. You could pray for God to bless your parents’ work or give them strength, but we should not seek wealth on its own, for we know the love of money is the root (cause) of all kinds of evil.

As you pray, pray right. Even as you study, study right. Don’t be a selfish child!

Thought: Am I selfish?

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for the reminder to not be selfish. It is so easy to think only and first of myself and I must try to stop doing that. With Your help, it would be easier. This is my humble cry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.