SONS OF THUNDER

[31]

GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right hand and the other on the left, in your kingdom." Matthew 20:21 NKJV

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     This was the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one! An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17: When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder."

     Truly, these young men were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn: "…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

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     Lord, help us to teach our children the principles of servanthood, even as we train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

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"… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

WHAT MUST I DO?

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

Read Mark 10:17–22

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:17 NIV

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The first error that this young man made, was in assuming that eternal life was something he could earn by doing something "good." He put Jesus into the same category as himself, by calling Him a "good teacher.” Jesus reminded him that the only really good or righteous One is God. Jesus, the Son of God, was able to fulfill the law perfectly, but this young man could not.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "one thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (10:21–22) ." He wasn't quite willing to be that good!

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Lord, only You know what keeps people from coming to You in faith. We cannot know men's hearts, so it is by the Holy Spirit that men and women will see their need of salvation. Just help us to be faithful in sharing our faith with others–trusting You for the results.

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Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" …The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10:23, 26-27 NIV

MARY AND MARTHA

Read Luke 10:38–42

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" Luke 10:40 NIV

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No woman can read this story without feeling a bit sorry for Martha. We all have our Martha moments when we are hurrying about to get life together. But as I read this, I remember that the apostle John said, "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." (John 11:5)

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The most important part of this story is that Mary's part would never be taken away from her. That "one thing" also belonged to Martha, in spite of her troubled spirit - her relationship with Jesus. Shortly after this, Jesus would be crucified. Every moment spent at Jesus feet would be treasured on that day.

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Lord, I am so thankful that I too have that "one thing" that will not be taken from me. I praise You that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NKJV)

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"…Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41–42 NKJV

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Read: Luke 10:25–37


But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29 NKJV

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     On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (10:25) His error was in thinking he could earn eternal life by his good works. So Jesus, knowing his heart, asked him what the law said about it. The lawyer replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (10:27)
     If the lawyer had been able to do this first commandment, he would not have needed a Savior. He asked "Who is my neighbor?" The story of the Good Samaritan illustrated that no one could keep the law perfectly–only God's perfect Son.

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     Thank You Lord, that the burden of keeping the law was removed from our shoulders and carried to the cross. Help us, like the Good Samaritan, to notice when someone has a need we can supply. May we show our love by serving You and other people.

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     "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" Luke 10:36 NKJV

INTERRUPTIONS

HEALING OF JAIRUS' DAUGHTER

Read Luke 8:40–56

Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. Luke 8:41–42 NIV

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Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus' daughter, who was dying; but on the way, the crowds prevented Him from making his way there. In the midst of the crowd, a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. (8:42) In spite of the urgency of His errand, Jesus took time for this woman, healed her and then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (8:48)

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Jesus made it to his appointment with Jairus in time, because He planned to raise his daughter from the dead. God is never late, even though we often are impatient and don't understand how He is working.

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Lord, You hold our lives in Your hands and our best hope is to trust You and Your timing for all of our needs. Thank You for this reminder from your Word.

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"Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" Luke 8:52–54 NIV