Mark 10:41-45
“When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.””
Mark 10:41-45 NIV
Human history is filled with aspirations of greatness. From the Garden where Eve was told you’ll be like God, to the Tower of Babel, to the Roman Empire, to Make America Great Again we are infatuated with the pursuit of greatness, or at least the lust for the glory that comes with it.
And this pursuit of greatness or glory doesn’t have to be experienced at a global scale. We experience at home or at work or on Instagram. It usually involves the simple act of trying to get our own way.
Jesus died as an example of how we should live, be selfless, serve others. Serving yourself and living to gain power will not fulfill your life. In serving you will find riches.
In a world of things it is easy to get caught up with only looking after #1. It gets easier to drive by those in need. It gets easier to only worry about yourself. It grows difficult to look at the bigger picture.
The glittering prizes of wealth and honour, of fame and fortune, of intellectual prowess and great importance, is highly prized in today's world system, but it can too often bedazzle the eyes of believers as well, and even Christ's own disciples were not exempt.
They were arguing about who was the most important in their little group and were jostling for the best position in Christ's coming kingdom.
But what a shocking silence must have descended on each person when Jesus stunned them with the words. Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
They were in pursuit of the wrong things and even then, they did not understand the staggering implication of His words. Christ's life was the exemplary witness to the truth of these words. He was the eternal Son of God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
All power in heaven and earth had been entrusted to Him, but He did not demand the service of others but knelt to wash His disciple's feet.
The One before Whom all creation will one day bow in humble adoration, came to be Servant to all, and His final act of service to the children of men, was to become the pivotal point in the history of the universe when He gave His life as a ransom for many.
May we be endowed with the mind of Christ, for although He was the Son of God, He learned obedience by the things that He suffered and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, to pay the price for the sin of humanity and to ransom all those who trust in His name.
Here is the heart of our hero, Jesus, given in one simple statement. His words must be our legacy. His example must be the pattern for our lives.
Jesus bought us out of Satan's grasp and brought us to freedom through the ransom price he paid. We are now called to follow His example and live His life in our world. We are to serve and sacrifice for others. Living to serve others is the Jesus-way of life!!!
Father thank You for this day and please help us to remember the value in serving others and allow us to plant the seed of service through our actions. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord please help us to see the opportunities You lay before us to serve. Lord we pray for wisdom and grace to know how to suffer with You in this life, and to give my life in service to others and to You. Lord from hankering after the glitz and glamour of this world. Lord may we be like You and humble ourselves, become obedient to Your Word, and follow in Your footsteps, so that Your Name may be glorified. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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