IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

To Serve and Give

Date: Jul. 26, 2021

Passage

Matthew 20:17-34

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

A Mother’s Request

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 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.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 20:28

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, there was a lot of anxiety and excitement in the air. While Jesus’ disciples did not fully know what to expect, they knew something big was going to happen. For the third time, Jesus told them he was going to suffer, be killed, and then be raised to life. After this, James and John’s mother made a request for them to secure greatness with Jesus. Jesus took this opportunity to teach his disciples about his own view of true greatness.

Many rise to power by doing whatever it takes to get ahead of others so that they may exercise their power over them. Jesus flips this around and says that the great are those who do whatever it takes for others to get ahead. They use their power to serve rather than be served. This greatness is rooted in God’s love and mercy.

When Jesus saw the blind men, he was ready to serve them even when everybody saw them as a nuisance. Jesus’ greatness was his ability to love even the unlovable, hopeless, and looked down upon, and give his life for them. In this way, he gave hope and new life. He opened not only their physical eyes but spiritual eyes to see God’s love and mercy.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving yourself fully to give me assurance of your love and mercy. May I be a vessel of such love to those you put in my life.

One Word: One Word: Give life. ?

Daily Bread

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

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