Amos Ministries

It is only natural for people to show favoritism to their own culture, race, ethnicity, tribe or language. It is natural because of our sinful nature, however, this favoritism is wrong, and we must identify and uncover it in our lives and stop it. A love as strong or as equal for those of other cultures “as we love ourselves”, is just not seen in the church today.

James 2:1 to 12 says “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.”

I have personally witnessed those in the church who love other cultures. However, not to the degree in which Jesus and James are speaking of. We must aspire to meet the standard that Jesus has set, instead of lowering it to suit what we are currently doing in the church, so that we can feel content with ourselves. We need to aspire to do more and do better!

In order to fully receive the teachings of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we must endeavor to trample upon our own cultures, traditions and teachings that we received from our parents. The Apostle Paul explains this in:

Philippians 3:4-8 – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

Jesus states this also in:

Matthew 10:37 – “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

We must not lower the bar and lose sight of the goal to love one another no matter what the cost. Persistence is the key, despite how much we need to change or whether people hate us for insisting they need to change the way they think.

Essentially, favoritism is discrimination as it says in James 2:4.

James 2:4 – have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Declaring our old ways as wrong, and trampling on the cultures, traditions, sayings and philosophies we used to live by, is called repentance. Once we have done so, we can fully embrace the teachings of Jesus without compromise. If we all did this, then ethnicity, tribe, tongue and food difference would not stand in the way of us as believers. In doing so, we could rid ourselves of favoritism which James says is a sin and a transgression of all of God’s law. We would truly have all things in common, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and there would no longer be any favoritism (discrimination).

There are many churches that only cater to one particular race, and there are others that claim to be ‘multicultural’. Sadly, due to a lack of church leadership, even multicultural churches remain divided according to race within the church and its groups and meetings.

We are meant to cater to all tribes, tongues and ethnicities within any given church. The church is meant to be a representation of the kingdom of heaven on earth and there is no Filipino or Indian section of heaven! 

Our goal should be to strive to do away with the separations within every church. If we truly share the same spirit as Christ, we can overcome cultural and ethnic ties, since we now belong to the family of God, through Christ Jesus. Even when holding gatherings outside the church (birthdays, weddings, fellowship, bible studies, etc), there should be no exclusion. Maintaining an ‘inner circle’ mentality is not a biblical concept. Members of the church who are of different ethnic backgrounds, cultures and languages than you, should be included, as we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Mutually through Christ, we have all things in common. Of course, it will take more effort and ingenuity to communicate and understand each other, but this is what God’s word is commanding us to do.

Christians are meant to be the light of the world, but how can the rest of the world unite when we ourselves, favor the company of one Christian brother over the other, based on his outward appearance or culture/traditions?  Upon accepting Jesus, we are meant to do away with our cultural and traditional ways.

At the same time, one might be accused of favoritism just because one spends more time with some than others.  Yes, this is a very subtle form of favoritism.

James 2:1- My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 

James clearly states that all forms of favoritism are wrong and then proceeds in verse 2 onwards, to give merely an example between a rich man and a poor man:

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:9 – But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Any form of favoritism is wrong since it is a discriminatory act against the unfavored party.

James 2:4 NIV – have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:4 NLT – doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Did Jesus Show Favoritism?

Some may feel that Jesus spent much more time with Peter, James and John even to the point of taking only those three with him to the Mt of Transfiguration, amongst other occasions. Whether one considers that favoritism or not, the other disciples may have construed it that way.  However, Jesus said:

John 6:37 – All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

Jesus did not show favoritism to anyone. As close as someone wanted to draw to Jesus, was their decision and Jesus would allow it. 

James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2 Chronicles 15:2 – He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

1 Chronicles 28:9 – “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Zechariah 1:3 – Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Malachi 3:7 – Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

Even today, some choose to draw very near to Jesus while others wish to watch from a distance. This does not mean that Jesus is showing favoritism to some and not others. It was John that gave himself the title of ‘the disciple that Jesus loved’, not Christ himself.

These three (Peter, James and John) desired to be closer to Jesus and so they did just that, which Jesus was aware of and allowed.

Pastors Are Prone To Showing Favoritism

In the same way, if a Pastor spends more time with certain people in the church than others, can he be accused of favoritism?  Many pastors do spend more time with leaders than non-leaders, more with staff than congregants. Many spend more time with those whose personalities mesh with theirs (friends).  

Spending more time with certain people due to these factors (if not strictly work related), is favoritism, especially with personalities that mesh with yours. The truth is, if we truly all had the Spirit, we would have all things in common, since we would actually share the same spirit. Unfortunately,  cultural differences and traditions, which should have been ‘checked at the door’, are brought into the church.

Mark 7:13 – Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

In turn, the Spirit cannot be received, and so there remains many differences between believers, that cause division or at the least cause us not to ‘mesh’.

Paul refers to the former philosophy and beliefs he used to follow as merely ‘traditions’. It should be the same with us.

Galatians 1:14 –  I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Philippians 3:4-8 – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…

Paul considers all of his old culture, ways and traditions as garbage in order to receive the Spirit of Christ. So it should be with us also.

I am not referring to cultural differences and traditions in terms of language, clothing, food and hairstyles. As Jesus said, life is more than food and clothing for the body. These things should already have no importance to us. I am speaking of priorities, philosophies, thought patterns and peoples’ ways that come from traditions and cultures. These cultural and traditional differences are what divides us and prevents the Holy Spirit from being able to fully function amongst believers.

Likewise, if someone wishes to be part of your ‘inner circle’, you should not drive them away due to favoritism. We see this in Jesus’ example of allowing Judas to be present, even though Judas would ultimately betray him, which Jesus knew from the beginning of his ministry.

Matthew 10:1-4 – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

They didn’t mesh at all, yet Jesus permitted him and spent 3 intimate years with Judas. Judas was even given the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. Jesus truly was partial to none! So much so, even the disciples didn’t know Judas was going to betray Jesus when the Lord said “go, and do what you must’. They thought he was going to give money to the poor! 

John 13:27-29 – As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.

Jesus did not treat Judas any differently than others. He included Judas and showed no favoritism even though the scriptures state:

John 6:64 – Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

John 13:11 – For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.

We must let our traditions and cultures go by trampling on them and counting it all as worthless like Paul did. That way, we can fully embrace the ways and philosophies of Jesus. We must not let them stand in our way. We trample on our cultures and traditions by declaring them to ourselves, as wrong, inferior to Jesus and unworthy of following. If both sides and all races in the church do this, they will truly become one church and love one another in one spirit.

Jesus did not show favoritism to anyone. The scriptures show that as close as someone wanted to draw to Jesus, it was their decision and Jesus would allow it. Just as today, some choose to draw very near to Jesus while others wish to watch from a distance. If Jesus did show favoritism during his earthly ministry, then he does so now also. This would mean that no matter how much one loves and obeys Jesus, he may not accept us. Thankfully, we know that Jesus does not change or discriminate by showing favoritism; this is not an accurate reflection of our Lord’s character.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Did Jesus Favor Peter, John & James?

In the story of Jairus and his daughter, some people believe that Jesus showed favoritism amongst the disciples when he kicked the other disciples out of the room and only allowed Peter, John and James to stay. 

The scriptures state:

Mark 5:38-40 – When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.

This scripture does not say that Jesus kicked out the other disciples, as they were not the ones crying and wailing. He only put the people who were crying and wailing out of the room. It seems that the other disciples were not present.

Mark 5:37 – He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

This means Jesus did not allow the large crowd to follow him, not the other disciples.

Mark 5:21, 24-27 & 31 – 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake…24 So Jesus went with him. 25 A large crowd followed and pressed around him…27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

It seems that only Peter, James and John were with him during this occasion, as well as at the Mount of Transfiguration. However, this is still not favoritism. There is a subtle difference and here’s how: 

Regarding Peter, James & John:

Matthew 17:1 – After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

God shows no favoritism:

Acts 10:34-35 – Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

Romans 2:11 – For God does not show favoritism.

Galatians 2:6 – As for those who were held in high esteem–whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism–they added nothing to my message.

Acts 15:8-9 – God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

Acts 10:28 – He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

Ephesians 6:9 – And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Being Close To God Is Based On Our Choice

It’s clear to see through these scriptures that God shows no favoritism. Rather, those who wish to be closer to God by fearing Him and doing what is right, will not be turned away. This is why Jesus stated:

John 6:37 – All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

God deals with people according to their desire of how close they wish to be to Him. He does not turn anyone away who wishes to be close to Him.

1 Peter 1:17 – And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

Colossians 3:25 – Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Matthew 16:27 –  For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Deuteronomy 10:17 – For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

God makes no distinction amongst men. If anyone has the faith and desire to grow closer to God, He will always allow it. It depends on you, not Him.

Romans 3:22 – We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Matthew 7:7-8 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jesus clearly states that everyone who wishes to grow closer to God can do so without favoritism (which is really discrimination). Those who do not hold this belief, are indirectly claiming that our Lord is discriminating or prejudice, by using a more favorable and acceptable term as ‘favoritism’.

James 2:4 NIV – have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

James 2:4 NLT – doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Acts 15:8-9 – God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 

Christians Are Commanded Not To Show Favoritism

1 Timothy 5:21 (Holman CSB) –  I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

Since favoritism is a form of prejudice, Christians are told not to show favoritism of any kind. Other translations say:

NIV – I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

NASB – I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

CSB – I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

CEV – In the presence of God and Christ Jesus and their chosen angels, I order you to follow my instructions! Be fair with everyone, and don’t have any favorites.

GNT – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the holy angels I solemnly call upon you to obey these instructions without showing any prejudice or favor to anyone in anything you do.

GOD’S WORD Translation – I solemnly call on you in the sight of God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels to be impartial when you follow what I’ve told you. Never play favorites.

NET Bible – Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.

God shows no favoritism, it depends on your faith and  how close you wish to be to Him.

Romans 3:29-30 – Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Romans 10:12 – For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

We know that God shows no favoritism of any kind and Jesus is His exact representation:

Hebrews 1:3 – The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

John 14:9 – Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

2 Corinthians 4:4 –  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 – No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Those Who Desire To Be Closer To Jesus Will Be Allowed

These three (Peter, James and John) desired to be closer to Jesus and so they did just that, which Jesus was aware of and allowed. 

The scriptures clearly show Peter’s desire to be closer with Jesus.

John 13:37 – Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

John 18:10  – Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Matthew 14:22-33 – Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 16:22 – Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

John 21:7 – Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

We can see within these verses that Peter went above and beyond for Jesus; doing and asking for more than the rest, wanting to be closer to Jesus. 

Regarding John, we only see the title of “the disciple Jesus loved’ in his own Gospel, and not others.

John 21:20 – Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)

John 13:23 – One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.

John 20:2 –  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

John wished to be closest to Jesus but Jesus never stated that John or any other disciple was his favorite, nor did any other gospel writer call John by this title. 

Regarding James and John, the sons of Zebedee (John being the same as above):

Matthew 20:20-28 – Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

21 “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.” 

Essentially, James and John (or their mother) were asking Jesus for favor.

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

Jesus is showing them that to be close to him, they must be willing to suffer, which would be their choice, not his. Jesus understood that their request was made out of a desire to be closer to Christ, but they did not exactly understand what it meant to sit on his right and left side.

“We can,” they answered.

Due to their answer, Jesus understood that James and John desired to be closer to him.

23 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.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 

The others understood James’ and John’s motive of wanting favor from Jesus but Jesus understood all of this was out of a desire of wanting to be closer with him.

25 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. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 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.”

Jesus is explaining how ranking works in the kingdom of heaven and it is the opposite to this world. It is the same with being closer to Jesus; it all depends on the believer’s willingness to suffer for his name. There is no one who wishes to be closer to Jesus that he would drive away.

John 6:37 – All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Mark 10:35-45 – Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 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.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In the story of the sons of Zebedee, we can see that Jesus did not show favoritism; which is exactly what James and John were requesting of him. Growing closer to Jesus did not depend on Jesus showing favoritism, but rather, it was a choice to be made by the believer. Jesus was fully aware of James and John’s desire to be closer, since they answered ‘yes’ to suffering more for his name.

Now we can understand why Jesus chose these three men to be witnesses at the Mount of Transfiguration and at the raising of Jairus’ daughter. It was because of Peter, James and John’s desire to be closer to Jesus. The others were quite happy with where they were in their relationship with him. They were only indignant at the fact that the sons of Zebedee’s mother was asking Jesus to show her sons favoritism without it being their choice. Had Jesus agreed, this would have been prejudice and discrimination againt the other disciples. The disciples understood and were comfortable with the fact that at any moment, any one of them had the option of drawing closer to Jesus and he would not drive them away.

Do You Have A Servant’s Heart?

The world teaches us that there are three important relationships to have in life;  someone to reach up to – they invest in your life and help you; someone to reach down to – someone you are investing in; and someone you can reach across to where you mutually help and encourage each other.  Furthermore, the world teaches that it is not favoritism to want to spend more time with the middle person as just a friend. 

If someone wants to be closer to you but ends up sapping you of strength and vitality because they are so needy, they aren’t likely to be part of your closest friendships.  We are taught to only need people in our lives who we don’t have to feel obligated to minister to 100% of the time.  If we are constantly giving out and not taking in, we will be of no good to anyone. 

However, this way of thinking is based on psychology and not the Bible. 

Hebrews 13:9 – Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. 

Ephesians 4:14 – Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 5:6 – Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 

Matthew 24:4 – Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

Acts 20:30 – Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Romans 16:17-18 – I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

2 Peter 2:1-3 – But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 – For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Revelations 2:2 – I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.

1 Timothy 4:1 – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

There is only one relationship for a follower of Jesus, and that is to give and help care for others, expecting nothing in return. We are meant to have an attitude of servitude. Our strength and vitality should come from God through the Holy Spirit and not from man.

Isaiah 40:31 – but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Psalm 103:4-5 – who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

1 Samuel 30:6 – And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Jesus also states this in the instance of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 10:42-45 – Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

As servants of Christ, we must serve and minister to others, expecting nothing in return. It is God who strengthens us through his Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 34:1-16 – The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.

7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Ministers of the gospel are supposed to ‘feed’ others as shepherds feed their sheep. They are not supposed to feed upon the sheep, which means to take anything back from the people who they are ministering to. They receive their strength and praise from God, not from the people.

John 12:43 – for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

John 5:44 – How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God

John 5:41 – “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Romans 2:29 – No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Galatians 1:10 – Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Acts 5:29 – Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

He also states this concept in the following scriptures:

Acts 20:35 –  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 

Luke 6:32-35 –  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Matthew 5:46-47 –  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

It is one sided; Peter does all the ‘tending and feeding’ and expects nothing in return.

1 Peter 5:1-3 – To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

There is only one relationship with Christ that matters. That is to help the weak in faith and receive our strength from God through His word and the Holy Spirit – not through people.

James is speaking against any favoritism at all since all forms of favoritisim is discrimination and prejudice against the unfavored party. As long as favoritism exists within the church, the Holy Spirit cannot be received. And so there remains many differences between believers that cause division or at the least cause us not to ‘mesh’.  

Acts 15:8-9 – God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

1 Timothy 5:21 (Holman CSB) –  I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

The Apostle Paul also did not show favoritism. It was Paul himself who stated:

1 Timothy 5:21 – I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.

Paul stated “imitate me as I imitate Christ’.

1 Corinthians 11:1 – Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

This means that if Paul is showing favoritism, we are to imitate Paul only as he imitates Christ, and Christ did not show favoritism of any kind. Although, I don’t see any evidence in the scriptures of Paul turning anyone away, but rather he received anyone who wished to be taught by him just as Jesus did.

Acts 19:9-10 – But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Like Jesus, Paul also did not pursue or force people who did not wish to be close to him nor did he turn away anyone who had the desire to be closer to him and in so doing, he did not show favoritism.

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