{"id":247,"date":"2020-04-10T22:03:31","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T22:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stharalambos.org\/?page_id=247"},"modified":"2026-09-29T17:27:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T17:27:54","slug":"pastors-column","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stharalambos.org\/index.php\/pastors-column\/","title":{"rendered":"Pastor’s Column"},"content":{"rendered":"
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God Does Not Show Favoritism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You ask Him!”
“No, you ask Him!”
“I’m not going to ask Him, you ask Him!”
“I know, let’s get mom to ask Him!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.” (Matt.20:20-21)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above paragraph from St. Matthew\u2019s gospel is copied verbatim, word for word. The dialogue in the first paragraph is, of course, just a presumption of what may have transpired between the disciples James and John prior to their mother\u2019s request. Not having the courage to approach Jesus directly, they seek out mom instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut Jesus answered and said, \u2018You 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?\u2019 They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, \u2018You 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.\u2019 (Matt. 20:22-23)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although mom had the courage to ask for her sons, the answer couldn\u2019t have been what they were expecting to hear. \u201cWell, thanks anyway, mom!\u201d the two must\u2019ve been thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, \u2018You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.\u2019 (Matt 20:24-28)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This scripture reading is a great reminder of just how human the disciples were, and, at the same time, how truly divine our Lord was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s good for us to know that God does not play favorites and sees every human being as equal; not identical, but equal. He is the most impartial judge imaginable. He cannot be bought (God has need of material possessions?) or swayed (He’s heard it all before). Each of us are going to stand or fall on our own merits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is pleasing to God is to live a life that keep us on the path towards the Kingdom of Heaven. We can learn to love one another, we can practice patience, mercy, forgiveness and charity. And one more thing, taken from the above passage: we can learn to serve one another. This, our Lord teaches, is what really makes a person great in God’s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means not focusing exclusively on our own needs and wants, but serving the needs of others. It doesn’t mean to neglect ourselves, but not to become selfish and egotistical, thinking that we’re better than others. In God’s eyes, we are all equal, all human, all imperfect, all struggling, and all part of His creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True greatness, as Jesus taught, comes through serving; opening up our eyes, and responding to the needs of our neighbor. And who is our neighbor? (Answer: read the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do well to remember the many scripture references teaching that God shows no partiality among His people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.\u201d (Col. 3:23-25)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.\u201d (Romans 2:10-11)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

God Does Not Show Favoritism “You ask Him!”“No, you ask Him!”“I’m not going to ask Him, you ask Him!”“I know, let’s get mom to ask Him!” “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…<\/span><\/p>\n

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