THIS IS HOW WE GET ALONG

Why do we have to be Superior to the next person (female, male, race, nationality, etc)? Why can't we compliment each other? When will we ever have leaders and people, from inside the family to inside the Halls of Government, that will honor collaboration? As someone said once, "Why can't we all just get along?" 

Matthew 20:20-28 says this about the situation.......

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Any mother wants what is best for her sons and daughters and this is no different. However, a Superior position was requested and even that request was made as a favor (something to be repaid) which Jesus said, "is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

So, the request at hand is answered - those positions are filled and known only by Father God. In other words...this matter is in His care, don't worry about it. However, Jesus doesn't stop there. Jesus instructs His Disciples and us - down through the ages - as to what to do in the meantime. 

The Air of Superiority was now in the atmosphere as the other ten disciples "were indignant with the two brothers" when they heard about this request. This looks like two separate events because the next sentence begins - "Jesus called them together...". This gives me the sense of immediacy with Jesus concerning the nipping-in-the-bud of this issue.

Jesus said that "the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them". In other words...the powers that be in the world misuse their authority over the populace. And even the "rulers" have "high officials" that they must be accountable unto ("and their high officials exercise authority over them."). Jesus taught - "Not so with you." The answer is to serve each other, because the Highest Being of All has made Himself a servant-leader who will give His life for The Mission (Pritchard Paraphrase). Jesus said it like this - "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

This is how we compliment each other. This is how we collaborate. This is how we progress, by serving each other with Servant-Leaders like Christ. This Is How We Get Along.