Matthew 20:17-23

We are only 8 chapters away from completing our study.  Have you enjoyed Matthew: The King and the Kingdom?  There is nothing better than the Word of God with Good Friends!  Please, grab your Bible and a cup of coffee (or another HOT beverage of your choice)!

Once again, I am excited to have a young writer with us.  My oldest daughter, Kati, is leading us in the Bible Study.  I just wanted to tell you that if you have a child who is interested in doing this, they are welcome to anytime.  I love having them!  They bless me tremendously!

*****READ MATTHEW 20:17-23!*****

 

Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death,  and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” (Vs.17-19)

 

Jesus' ministry was coming closer and closer to an end.  He and the twelve disciples were on the way to Jerusalem.  He told them at some point that he was going to be killed and three days later he would rise again.  Not only would he be killed, but He told them he would be mocked, scourged, and crucified.  Crucifixion was the worst type of punishment the Romans did to criminals.  It is an amazing feeling to know that God loves us SO MUCH that he sent his only son, JESUS, to take the most painful punishment, AND THAT JESUS WENT WILLINGLY!

 

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.  And He said to her, “What do you wish?”  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.”  But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”  They said to Him, “We are able.”  So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” (VS.20-23)

 

The left and right hands are positions of honor in the Kingdom of God.  Jesus told them that these positions are not his to give.  It is for those who are being prepared by the Father.  Jesus was the first being prepared by the Father.  Is Jesus just some ordinary man?  Does that mean we can also sit by the Father also?  NO....HE IS NOT SOME ORDINARY MAN!  HE IS THE KING!  He was the one who was sent here by the Father, the one who healed so many, the one who died on the cross for our sins!  We are not worthy to sit in such a seat of honor.  Pride can cause us to not think wisely. 

 

 



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  KATIANNE KILPATRICK is the 13 year old daughter of Billy Joe and Tera Kilpatrick.  She loves playing the piano, singing, writing songs, babysitting, church, dancing, and her sisters!  When Kati is grown, she wants to get married, have LOTS of babies, and be a midwife!  Kati is a homeschooler in eighth grade and is a member of  F.F.H.S.C..  She is a very active member at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas where she plays the keyboard for the youth "One Way" praise team and serves in the nursery.