Word@Work 122 - Mark 10:41-45
Published: Tue, 05/13/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read 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." (NIV)
When James and John pushed themselves forward to have the highest places of honour next to Jesus, there was a backlash from the other disciples. Why should they be disadvantaged? And they probably disliked the sneaky way that James and John got Jesus on His own so that they might secure a private deal. But their reaction displayed a heart problem for all of them: they all wanted to be in Jesus' honours list.
How worldly they were still! They thought that the greatest rewards would go to the most important people - those senior business managers who have many servants; the generals who command many troops. It is still the way of the world, reinforced by a salary and benefits package that is proportional to the person's commercial value. But Jesus cuts right across such thinking, "Not so with you!" Greatness in God's kingdom is assessed by how many you serve, not the number you command. Jesus had already demonstrated that - a principle that would lead Him to the Cross, serving the needs of sinners by His blooded sacrifice.
Just as Christ's purpose was to serve and give Himself for us, so He expects that we will live like that towards others. We may nod in theological agreement, but when the call to serve is inconvenient or at the wrong time, what principle guides our lifestyle decisions? The repeated us of 'must' in v 44 should grab our attention! Why 'must' the great be servants, and the honoured become a slave to everybody? Because Jesus said so!!
Prayer: Almighty God. I accept Your right to command me to do great thing; but I rarely want to do the little things that could be done by others less skilled or gifted. Please forgive me for not understanding Your command that I must be a servant of others for Your sake. Please help me to practice this Kingdom principle today, by changing my attitude to others and to your Word. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
When James and John pushed themselves forward to have the highest places of honour next to Jesus, there was a backlash from the other disciples. Why should they be disadvantaged? And they probably disliked the sneaky way that James and John got Jesus on His own so that they might secure a private deal. But their reaction displayed a heart problem for all of them: they all wanted to be in Jesus' honours list.
How worldly they were still! They thought that the greatest rewards would go to the most important people - those senior business managers who have many servants; the generals who command many troops. It is still the way of the world, reinforced by a salary and benefits package that is proportional to the person's commercial value. But Jesus cuts right across such thinking, "Not so with you!" Greatness in God's kingdom is assessed by how many you serve, not the number you command. Jesus had already demonstrated that - a principle that would lead Him to the Cross, serving the needs of sinners by His blooded sacrifice.
Just as Christ's purpose was to serve and give Himself for us, so He expects that we will live like that towards others. We may nod in theological agreement, but when the call to serve is inconvenient or at the wrong time, what principle guides our lifestyle decisions? The repeated us of 'must' in v 44 should grab our attention! Why 'must' the great be servants, and the honoured become a slave to everybody? Because Jesus said so!!
Prayer: Almighty God. I accept Your right to command me to do great thing; but I rarely want to do the little things that could be done by others less skilled or gifted. Please forgive me for not understanding Your command that I must be a servant of others for Your sake. Please help me to practice this Kingdom principle today, by changing my attitude to others and to your Word. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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