To Be Great in God’s Kingdom

Mark 10:32-45

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ³³ "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, ³⁴ who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." ³⁵ 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."… ⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called 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."

This is the third time Jesus predicts His suffering and death in Mark’s gospel and the third time the disciples demonstrate just how little they understand Jesus, His life and His life’s purpose (as well as their own life's calling or purpose). After predicting His death for a third time, James and John come to Jesus asking for a special favor – to be able to sit on His right and His left. Rather than seeing themselves as servants, they sought positions of privilege and honor. Once again Jesus must try to correct their thinking and flip their worldview upside down declaring that in His Kingdom greatness is obtained not by gaining positions of privilege or exercising power over others. Greatness in His Kingdom comes through assuming positions of servanthood, in the selfless giving of ourselves, consumed with the interest and wellbeing of others.

Jesus selflessly gave Himself to and for us even unto death in order that we might know the abundance of life now and eternally (John 10:10). This abundant life is one characterized by love and purpose (1 John 4:7-16). Without love, without purpose life is shallow, empty, & meaningless. It is by loving that people recognize us as His disciples (John 13:34-35). Today’s text begs each of us to ask the questions: “Where or to what extent am I seeking privilege and honor? Where or how am I seeking to be served rather than to serve?” It would also have us ask ourselves “Whom and how am I serving? How am I giving of myself, even as Jesus has served and serves me?” Jesus, thank You for Your love, for Your serving even unto death. Through Your indwelling Spirit move us to so love that I might truly be Your disciple.