WHAT DO YOU WISH?
TUESDAY 08
“And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ 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)
READ: Matthew 20:20–28
What happened in our text is a common trend in the work of ministry. When a ministry started showing the sign of growth and success, some people in the place would want to take advantage of the blessing and growth of the work. The mother of Zebedee sons, James and John, came asking that Jesus would grant her two sons a place each in His kingdom; that one would sit on His right hand and the other one on the left. But Jesus’ answer should always be the right answer that should be given by any minister who is confronted with a similar situation or problem.
What did Jesus say? Jesus said:
“YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ASK, ARE YOU ABLE TO DRINK THE CUP THAT I AM ABOUT TO DRINK, AND BE BAPTIZED WITH THE BAPTISM THAT I AM BPTIZED WITH? THEY SAID TO HIM, WE ARE ABLE.”
Matthew 20:22
The cup to drink means the crucifixion before Him. The baptism is about the suffering, what He had been going
through since the inception of His earthly ministry. Albeit, the two sons of Zebedee said they would be able.
Some of such people would come when your ministry or assignment begins to show a sign of progress and success,
because they are position conscious.
They would want to be part of the success and glory of the emerging ministry—this could be considered an ambition.
There are many ambitious people like that in every emerging ministry, those who would want to be at the forefront, who would want to be part of the decision makers because they have seen signs of progress and success in the new ministry or assignment.
If you are the pioneer or the founder of the ministry, you would do well and learn from the answer given to these
sons of Zebedee and their mother.
After they were asked by Jesus if they would be able to pass through what He would pass through, that is, suffer what He would suffer, Jesus then told them point blank: “YOU WILL INDEED DRINK MY CUP, AND BE BAPTIZED WITH THE BAPTISM I AM BAPTIZED WITH; BUT TO SIT ON MY RIGHT HAND AND ON MY LEFT IS NOT MINE TO GIVE, BUT IT IS FOR THOSE FOR WHOM IT IS PREPARED BY MY FATHER [God]" (Matthew 20:23).
Now, if a young minister who has just started a ministry and the ministry started showing a sign of progress and growth and increase and success, and suddenly this happened, what should he do? He definitely should answer whoever comes with such a proposal that he would not be able to do anything apart from what God says.
Some of such ambitious people may want you to appoint them to be part of the trustees of the ministry, or to be among the decision makers or governing council. Some of such ambitious people who are in money may even tell you that if you could make them what they are desiring to be in the ministry or church, they will be bankrolling or financing all your programmes and whatever expenses of the ministry. They may promise to finance your television ministry or book publications and whatever.
Another thing that could also happen is, if you as the founder is unmarried, and your ministry has started showing a sign of success, a number of ambitious ladies or sisters in the place would want to be the wife of the overseer, they would want to be the first lady of the place. You would see a number of different things which the ambitious people in the place would want to take advantage of.
Most of such people are opportunists, they do not have what it takes to be what they are asking for. Your answer
to all these people should be, I can only do what God says, it is not for me to decide but whatever God says (Matthew 20:23).
You will not miss in Jesus’ name.
Peace.
Reflect:
• If Jesus asked you today, “What do you wish?”, would your request be about His Kingdom or your own ambition?
• Are you seeking a position, or are you seeking to serve?
• Are there any selfish motives you need to repent of in your prayers right now?
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