January 26, 2021 - In the Gospel of Matthew, we read of an encounter between Jesus and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. We see in chapter 20:20-28 this woman who asks Christ to appoint her two sons as his left and right-hand men. There is nothing wrong with a parent wanting the most for their children. I hope that lots of parents do this for their children. Where we run into an issue is that she did not know what she was asking for. Verse 22 reads, “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.” The “They” who answered are the sons of Zebedee themselves.
They will not drink the cup prepared for Jesus, that is certain. They will however drink from the cup Christ prepares for us. This gift does not make us then kings and rulers. It breaks the bondage of sin and sets the captive free. This passage should cause us to stop thinking that to gain Christ is to gain worldly authority. The Gospel is so much more than that! The Gospel is not about gaining power but by the power of God being redeemed.
Remember verse 28 because it is telling you what Christ came to do. Christ came not to be served. There is nothing that he needs from us, but we need everything from him. Christ came to serve his life as a ransom for many. May that truth comfort you Christian. Christ came to free you from sin.
Wynter is an Elder at Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church. Find out more at MariposaChurch.org or email him at wynter@mariposachurch.org. Visit Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church on Facebook.
Pastor’s Corner is a column from Pastor Wynter Sturtevant III of the Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church.
The Church has moved locations, services are now held at the Bootjack Stompers Hall (located at 4662 Morman Bar Crossing) across from the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.
Time of service is at 10:00 A.M. on Sunday.
I am happy to announce that MRBC has its own sermon podcast. Please check it out by clicking on the link below or searching MRBC Sermons on iTunes. New sermons will be posted every Wednesday.
https://mariposachurch.transistor.fm/episodes
Note: Area churches interested in submitting Articles of Faith are welcome to contact us.
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