Not So With You. Instead… (Tammy Junghans)
Reflection: Not So With You—Living the Alternative Life of Servanthood
Tammy Junghans’ message this week, rooted in Matthew 20, was a stirring call to live a life radically shaped by servanthood and humility. Through storytelling and Scripture, she challenged us to examine our hearts and actions against Jesus’ powerful declaration: “Not so with you. Instead…”
This phrase, both convicting and liberating, sets the stage for an alternative way of living—a life that counters the relentless pursuit of power, status, and self-interest, and instead embraces service, sacrifice, and love.
Lessons from the Vineyard and the Cross
Tammy began by unpacking the parable of the vineyard workers, a story where the last are paid the same as the first. Here, Jesus reveals a kingdom of radical generosity, where reward is not based on merit or effort but on the boundless grace of God. It’s a reminder to let go of envy and entitlement, as the landowner asks, “Are you envious because I am generous?”
This parable sets the tone for a deeper exploration of humility and servanthood. The disciples, still vying for positions of power in Jesus’ kingdom, miss the heart of His message. Tammy highlighted how their request to sit at Jesus’ right and left wasn’t just ambitious—it revealed a misunderstanding of greatness in God’s kingdom. Jesus reframes their thinking by pointing to the cross, the ultimate symbol of sacrificial love. True greatness, He explains, is found in serving others, not in wielding power over them.
Living the “Instead” Life
At the core of Tammy’s reflection was Jesus’ challenge in verse 26: “Not so with you. Instead…” This phrase calls us to reject the patterns of exploitation and self-promotion so prevalent in the world and to embrace a life of self-giving love. Tammy’s own stories of ministry brought this idea to life:
- Red Frogs Ministry: Students serve at campus parties, offering water, food, and care for vulnerable peers, asking nothing in return. This quiet, consistent service reflects the heart of Christ, who stops to help those the crowd seeks to silence.
- Leadership Development: Tammy shared how student leaders at the University of Manitoba are fostering a culture of humility, inclusion, and service—prioritizing others over their own needs, whether by giving up free pizza for someone else or meeting with new students on the fringes.
- Personal Apologies: Even in small missteps, Tammy illustrated the importance of humility—owning mistakes and seeking reconciliation as a reflection of Christ’s grace.
Compassion Over Control
The story of Jesus stopping for the blind men on His way to the cross encapsulates the heart of His mission. Despite the urgency and gravity of His journey, Jesus listens to their cries, heals their wounds, and restores their sight. Tammy emphasized how Jesus wasn’t driven by a pursuit of greatness but by compassion for the overlooked and rejected.
This moment invites us to consider: How often are we too focused on our own plans, goals, or even ministry ambitions to stop and respond to the needs of those around us? Jesus models a life where compassion interrupts our agendas, and love drives our every action.
A Call to Examine Our Hearts
Tammy’s message was both practical and deeply introspective. She encouraged us to ask hard questions:
- Where have I sought power at the expense of others?
- Have I tried to control or manipulate situations for personal gain?
- Am I harboring indignation toward those who seem to “get ahead” unfairly?
In response, she urged us to adopt the posture of a servant, willing to lay down our rights and preferences for the sake of others.
Prayerful Reflection
Tammy closed her message with a heartfelt prayer, inviting us to submit our pride and ambition to God’s transforming work. Her words resonated deeply: “Not so with you. Instead…” This is the call for every believer to reflect the countercultural nature of Christ’s kingdom—a kingdom where the last are first, and greatness is found in serving others.
Living It Out
Tammy’s stories and insights challenge us to embody the “instead” life in our own contexts. Whether it’s through small acts of kindness, stepping out of our comfort zones, or reevaluating our ambitions, we are invited to live as Christ did—serving selflessly and loving extravagantly.
As we reflect on Tammy’s message this week, let’s consider how we might hear and respond to Jesus’ words: “Not so with you. Instead…” May they shape our hearts, our actions, and our community as we seek to be His hands and feet in the world.