SONS OF THUNDER

GREATNESS IS SERVING

Read Matthew 20:20–28

     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

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    This was spoken by the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, an ambitious mother if there ever was one! An insight to her two sons is found in Mark 3:17:

     When Jesus appointed the twelve apostles, He called James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James…Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder. Truly, they were leadership material and would be among the apostles who were the foundation of the Church, but Jesus had a more important lesson for them to learn: "…Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave–just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28)

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     Lord, help us to teach our children the principles of servanthood, even as we train them to be their best and excel. Help us to put the spirit of competition in perspective and balance with love and kindness and serving others.

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     "… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."    Matthew 20:28