Prestige and Effectiveness

In Matthew’s account of good news (Matthew 20:20-28), Zebedee’s wife approached Jesus to ask on behalf of her sons that they would be given prestige in His Kingdom. She was not talking about church, and His response was not referring to church.

His response could have used Joseph, son of Jacob, as the example. Joseph became slave of each person he was thrown before, and in those positions of humiliation, he was prepared for and then given power. When we become servants in the places where our King has given us responsibility, we gain authority and power to rule. Sometimes, the position we are in doesn’t change. We may still be collecting $1 each from cars and trucks passing through our toll booth, but we have access to masses of people over whom we can pronounce blessing and freedom and salvation and purpose. We may still be the janitor in a middle school, but we have more influence over the children we encounter than their parents or counselors or pastors and teachers.

Our various jobs and experiences and spiritual gifts are knit into a huge manifestation of His dominion in the earth. When our work is sanctified by the fruit of His Spirit, He is present, and He is King.