And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:35–45
Even those who walked closest with Jesus still wrestled with pride. James and John boldly asked Jesus for the places of highest honor in His kingdom. They imagined glory before they understood the cross. Like many of us, they measured greatness by position instead of service, recognition instead of faithfulness.
Rather than rebuking them harshly, Jesus gently redefined greatness. In His kingdom, leadership is never about elevating ourselves. It is about lowering ourselves for the good of others. Honor is found through humility. Authority is expressed through service. The path upward begins by kneeling.
This lesson is not natural for us. We are drawn toward applause, influence, and recognition. We enjoy being noticed and appreciated. Yet Jesus continually redirects our hearts away from building our own kingdoms and toward building His.
The greatest example, of course, is Christ Himself. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Our Savior never asks us to walk a path He was unwilling to walk first.
As we follow Him, we discover that true greatness is not measured by how many people serve us but by how faithfully we serve others for the glory of God.
Father, forgive us for the pride that so easily finds its way into our hearts. Teach us to value humility over recognition and faithfulness over applause. Help us follow the example of Christ, who willingly became a servant so that we might have life.
Serving Others,
eep
