3.17.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Text: Matthew 20:20-28

The son's of thunder (ie. Zebedee) were better known as James and John. It appears as if they came from a family of some success and influence. That is why it is not too hard to believe that their Mother went to bat for them in this passage. She approaches Jesus and asks if her two sons might sit at the right and left hand of Jesus when his kingdom was established. What follows is a very familiar discourse from Jesus about serving instead of being served.

I truly believe that one of the most overlooked gifts is the gift of hospitality. We all know what it is like to be received warmly and our needs taken care of by a compassionate person. Perhaps it was a skinned knee or a fever? Maybe it was after a rough end to a relationship? Or just perhaps you were in a new situation without friends?

To reach out in friendship and love is an act of generosity in my view. We give of ourselves each time we look beyond our own personal comfort and help others. Jesus knew that his Kingdom was going to be built by a group of people who gave of themselves completely (ie. their lives.) And he also knew that it would be seen as an act done in vain because they would not see much of the fruit that they had planted.

My prayer is that during this final week of Lent that we would transcend our comfort zone with an act of generosity via kindness. That we would take it upon ourselves to act upon our hospitality impulses for others. And that we might take upon the mantle of a servant to al for God's honor.