“What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

Matthew 20:21

Be a servant

• Diakonos:  dee-AH-koh-nos: those who advance others' interests even at the sacrifice of their own; thoroughly raise up dust by moving in a hurry, and so to minister

Be a slave 

• Slave: DOO-los:(doo'-los) used with the highest dignity in the NT – namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ's authority as His devoted followers.

Be willing to suffer

• Suffer: endure death, pain, or distress; to sustain loss or damage 

Encouragement from God’s Word

• And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
  Galatians 6:9 (ESV) 

• Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
  Colossians 3:2 (ESV)

• Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  1 John 2:15 (ESV) 

• Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
  1 Peter 5:6 (ESV) 

And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”
Luke 19:27

This is vivacious and cruel… “right in front of me.”

Help me, Lord, to keep my eyes on You, Your Kingdom, and Heavenly things. Help me: Be a servant. Be a slave. Be willing to suffer.