Matthew 20: Kingdom Leadership

Jesus fundamentally redefines leadership in God's Kingdom, turning worldly authority structures upside down by establishing service as the true measure of greatness.

• Kingdom leadership contrasts sharply with worldly leadership where authorities "lord it over" those beneath them
• The parable of vineyard workers reveals God's right to be generous as He chooses
• Jesus provides his third and most detailed prediction of his coming suffering and death
• James and John's mother requests positions of honor for her sons in Christ's kingdom
• Jesus uses the disciples' power struggle to teach that true greatness comes through service
• Leadership in God's Kingdom means becoming a servant first
• Jesus presents himself as the ultimate example: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve"
• Two blind men recognize Jesus as "Son of David" and follow him after being healed

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Chapters

• 0:00 Kingdom Leadership Defined
• 3:29 The Parable of Equal Wages
• 9:33 Jesus Predicts His Death Again
• 10:50 James and John's Mother's Request
• 12:42 True Leadership Is Serving Others
• 13:12 Healing Blind Men Who Follow

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:24

Well, everybody, welcome back to the Bible Breakdown podcast with your host, pastor Brandon, today. Matthew, chapter 20, and today's title is Kingdom Leadership, kingdom Leadership. A couple of days ago we were talking about the idea of being the greatest in the kingdom and we were saying that in a lot of different avenues, a lot of different situations, circumstances like sports and business, all that kind of stuff. There is this phrase called being the GOAT, and that is the greatest of all time and it's a lot of fun to be able to look through that, especially in the sports world, especially when it comes to who's the best quarterback or who's the best basketball player. And it really comes down to I heard Larry Bird say one time it comes down to the generation. People who grew up in a certain generation are always going to think that that generation's main star was the best right. But the goal for that is you know how many accolades did you win? How many scoring titles did you get? You know all that kind of stuff. Well, today we're going to talk about what is the greatest type of leader in the kingdom of God. Is it the person who builds the greatest buildings, writes the most books, wins the most people to Christ. What does the greatest leader in the kingdom of God look like? We're going to get into all that in just a moment and you probably, if you've been reading with us long enough, you kind of know where that's going. So, if you have your Bibles, I'm going to open up with me to Matthew, chapter 20. While you're doing that, as always, make sure you take just a moment like share, subscribe to the YouTube channel and the podcast. Make sure you leave us a five-star review on the podcast. Make sure you're going to the Facebook discussion group. There's an amazing group of people doing a wonderful job over there. The more we dig, the more we find, and you can find the links to all of these things at thebiblebreakdowncom. I want to say another word about that real quick, and that is this we are on the slow path, the very, very slow path, of trying to get everything we do into kind of a hub where we can have all this together. We're still going to have the Facebook discussion group over there. It's doing a wonderful job. We also want to take all these other things and want to put them into this hub at thebiblebreakdowncom, which, for what it's worth, I'm going to be putting out a video before long to answer some questions, because I've been getting a lot of very good questions, and one of them that's been coming up a lot is this Pastor Brandon.

Speaker 1: 2:40

For those of us who have been with the podcast in the very beginning, I'm noticing that we are about to lap the New Testament. What do we do once we finish the whole Bible? Well, here's the first thing we do we're going to keep reading, because the more we dig, the more we find. I'm going to tell you, the best thing that happens when you read the Bible is when you read it again, because you start to very slowly see how things connect. It is beautiful treasure. I cannot tell you how amazing it is to read through the Bible over and over, because the more you dig, the more you find.

Speaker 1: 3:10

However, for the podcast for those of us who are creating it we've got a lot of ideas that we want to do after we have finished creating the first round. I want to tell you about all of them, because some of them are going to take years to make happen, but one of the things we're going to do is we're going to start taking a lot more attention, or putting a lot more attention on thebiblebreakdowncom. I have a long-term, lifetime goal I want to create a commentary on the entire Bible, but instead of publishing it as standalone books, I want to put it for free online, and thebiblebreakdowncom is one of the steps in that process. You can also go to a website called publictheologiannet and you can see where I call it a digital garden. It's where I'm slowly growing a lot of my thoughts about the Bible. You can go there, and my goal is just to provide a biblical perspective from a local pastor's biblical perspective on the Bible, and so that's a reason why you want to go ahead and kind of tab thebiblebreakdowncom, because as we continue this journey together, that is going to be the hub of where you're going to find everything. Okay, all right, that was a really long explanation.

Speaker 1: 4:13

Let's get into Matthew chapter 20. And if you've been with us over the past several days, the overall goal of Matthew chapter 20 is that Jesus is the king and Matthew just comes out swinging Like he'll mess around. He just comes out from the very beginning and he just says Jesus is the rightful king of this planet. He's like I got the receipts to prove it, and that's what Matthew chapter one is all about. He settles the debate at the very beginning that he's the rightful king of Israel, but then he spends two through 28 saying but he's also the king of everything else. And as we've been walking through this, we have been seeing how Jesus is doing all these things.

Speaker 1: 4:52

In the past several chapters we've been talking about how kingdom faith, the foundation of the kingdom, a glimpse of the kingdom, the kingdom right side up, and today it's going to be about kingdom leadership. And one of the things about kingdom leadership is it is not at all what we think it is Many times and in many other areas. And here's the thing, the controversial statement, I don't know. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get to the top of your industry. There's nothing wrong with applying for jobs and doing good in the business world. There's nothing wrong with that at all. But the important thing to remember is is we can't always bring that same type of striving into the kingdom of God, because the kingdom of God is completely upside down from what we would expect. That's why, you know I love there's an author I love called John C Maxwell. Love John Maxwell so much. He has so many great things to say and he actually started off as a pastor of a local church and what he did is he took business principles and he put it into the church to help us organize ourselves. The problem with that is, a lot of people have taken the things that John Maxwell has done and they turned the church world into a corporation. Well, that doesn't work, because the kingdom of God is not a corporation, it's a living organism. We are the kingdom of God and so we have to be careful that we conduct ourselves according to the rules of the kingdom. And that's what this chapter is all about. So, if you're ready, matthew, chapter 20, verse 1 says this For the kingdom of heaven is like. So he's saying this is what the kingdom of heaven is like.

Speaker 1: 6:21

A landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. So they went to work in the vineyard and at noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing. At five o'clock in the afternoon he went in the vineyard, and at noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing. At five o'clock in the afternoon he went into the town again and saw more people standing around, and so we asked them why haven't you been working today? They replied because no one hired us. The landowner told them Go out and join the others in my vineyard, and that evening he told the foreman to call all the workers in to pay them. But then he began with the last workers first. When the one who had been hired five o'clock were paid, each one was paid a full day's wage.

Speaker 1: 7:17

When those who were hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more, but they too were given a day's wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, those people who worked for only one hour, yet they were paid as much as you paid us, who worked all day in the scorching Middle Eastern heat. Then he answered them friend, I haven't been unfair, didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Now. Pause.

Speaker 1: 7:51

Now what does Jesus say? He is using a parable. Remember a parable, remember. A parable is a story with a hidden, deep spiritual principle. And the parable is saying that there was a rich landowner who went out, needed some folks to work, and so he hired some of these people at the beginning of the day, some people at the middle of the day, some people at the end of the day, but then he paid them all equally. They all got the same reward. And it was the people who had been working hard all day long that thought it was unfair. And the landowner was like wait a minute, it's not unfair. I told you you were going to get paid this certain amount.

Speaker 1: 8:35

What happens to everybody else is none of your business. Don't be evil because I am, or don't have an evil eye because I am kind. Well, the spiritual principle to us is what God does in the lives of other people is not our business. If God chooses to bless somebody else when we have a harder road, well, good for them. God is still going to bless us. And so the spiritual principle is let God do what he wants to do with everybody else. Focus on your relationship with him.

Speaker 1: 9:01

Verse 17 says this as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the 12 aside and privately told them what was going to happen. Listen, he said you know, it reminds me of that old video. Listen, linda, listen. At this point Jesus has told them several times what is about to happen. We are going to Jerusalem where the Son of man, speaking of himself, will be betrayed to the leading priest and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. They will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip and crucified, but on the third day they will be raised from the dead.

Speaker 1: 9:35

Pause, I can't help it. So when Jesus first started talking to him about this, he told them I'm going to be betrayed and I'm going to die. The second time is I'm going to be betrayed by the religious leaders and I'm going to be betrayed by the religious leaders and I'm going to die. I'm going to rise again. Now he is even saying like every time he adds a little bit more. He's saying this time they're going to hand me over to the Romans. The Romans are going to beat me half to death, then they're going to crucify me, but I'm going to raise up. I'm going to raise from the dead on the third day. And you can see that they're still going. Huh, I wonder what Jesus means. And you can't get mad at them, because don't we do the same thing when Jesus says to love your neighbor, we go. Huh, I wonder what he means. He means to love your neighbor, and so they are just not getting it. They are not getting it at all, but he keeps telling them anyway, I love this. All right, here we go, verse 20. This is where we hear about what true leadership is.

Speaker 1: 10:26

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons and knelt respectfully to ask a favor. What is your request, he asked? In your kingdom? She replied Please, let my two sons sit in the place of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left. But Jesus answered and said to them so you don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the bitter cup of suffering that I'm able to drink? Oh, yes, they replied we're able. And Jesus told them you will indeed drink from my bitter cup, but I have no right to say who will sit on my right and on my left. My father has prepared that for those whom he has chosen.

Speaker 1: 11:07

When the other 10 disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. In other words, that's the Bible way of saying he's mad. And you think about it? I mean, pause for just a second. You imagine how awkward that moment is.

Speaker 1: 11:22

James and John's mama comes up and she says hey Jesus, hey baby, what's up? Hey, james. And John's mama comes up and she says hey Jesus, hey baby, what's up? Hey, sweetheart, what's up what you got? Hey, I need to ask you something, anything you want. Can we just imagine? Just Jesus, jesus, I want my two boys to sit at your right hand, on your left. Other words, I like them a whole lot. I think they should be honored. I want them to have by as much glory as you do. Say what? And Jesus is like are you serious? But you know he says that to them. Other words, james and John are right there, going uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, and he's like no, no, no, no. You don't understand. You don't understand. This is so much bigger than you can imagine. Yeah, there's going to be somebody on my right and my left, but it's people that my father has chosen, not you fools. And of course, at that point, the ten others are like you've got to be kidding me. But hey, what are you going to do? It's the mama, verse 25,. Jesus called them together. Here it is. I love this.

Speaker 1: 12:28

It says you know that the rulers of this world lord it over their people. The officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. It will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Let's finish this up. We're going to come back to this.

Speaker 1: 12:50

As Jesus and his disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind them. Two blind men were sitting beside the road, and when they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting Lord, son of David, have mercy on us, be quiet. The crowds yelled at him, but they shouted even louder Lord, son of David, have mercy on us. When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called what do you want me to do for you, lord? They said we want to see, and he felt sorry for them. And he touched their eyes. Instantly they could see, and then they followed him. Man, that's just powerful. I mean, we could just spend our whole time right there saying man, when you cry out to God, god sees you and you know what your response should be I'm going to follow you, jesus, all the days of my life. I love it.

Speaker 1: 13:36

Let's go back to this, what Jesus calls true leadership, and then we'll be done for the day. It says that he looked at his disciples and he said in this world, you have a pattern of leadership. That pattern of leadership is someone is given a title of authority and then they use that title and that authority to flaunt their authority over others. They do Sometimes corrupt. People do corrupt things. You ever heard the phrase absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Yeah, when people have no recourse, there's no reason for them to act. Nice, eventually it goes to their head.

Speaker 1: 14:11

That's basically what Jesus is saying.

Speaker 1: 14:12

He's saying, but among you it must be different.

Speaker 1: 14:15

Whoever wants to be a leader must be a servant. Whoever wants to be first must be the first in serving others. And he said you want an example? I am, for I did not come to be served, but I came to serve others in so much as I'm giving my life as a ransom for many. So, in other words, what Jesus is saying is is he is saying there are leaders in the kingdom of heaven, but when you lead, you're not leading from a position of I'm in charge and so I'm going to have my way. It is I'm in charge and so now I become the lead servant. So I'm going to serve people by leading them. I'm going to be in charge. I'm going to serve people by leading them. I'm going to be in charge. I'm going to call the play. I'm going to be the one who is calling the shots here. I'm going to do that, but I'm not doing it as a way to control others. I'm doing it as a way to serve others. I'm going to serve you by leading you.

Speaker 1: 15:11

It's very different than serving somebody or leading somebody just because I'm being in charge. And you know, if you've ever been under someone who just ate up authority, ate up control, they just loved it you can tell. And if you've ever served under someone who saw serving as a way or, excuse me, saw leading as a way of serving others, you can tell, because when they make decisions, they're not making decisions on what's best for them, they're making decisions based on what's best for the group you go. Well, where have I ever seen that? I mean, can I tell you? I've done that before. I've looked around and I've been like, listen, all the leaders that I love in my life. I love them, but I don't think they led like that. Well, jesus says don't look at those people. Look at, because the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve others.

Speaker 1: 16:00

What would it look like if we lived our life the way Jesus did and literally lay our lives down for those we have been given authority over? Let's pray together right now, god, thank you so much for today. Thank you, god, that you're with us and you're for us in all things. My prayer today, god, is that we will realize that we are part of the kingdom of heaven. That means that we're able to serve, we're able to lead, we're able to move forward and you're able to focus on our relationship with you and trust you with all the other things that you're doing. My prayer today, god, is that we will know you more, love you more and serve you more. In Jesus' name we pray Amen. You know what God's word says in Matthew 28, verse 19, says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. I love you. I'll see you tomorrow. For Matthew, chapter 21.