Mark 10:35-45 (NRSV)
Read Mark 10:35-45 on biblegateway.com
Verse 35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." Verse 36And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" Verse 37And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." Verse 38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" Verse 39They replied, "We are able." Then 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; Verse 40but 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."
Verse 41When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. Verse 42So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. Verse 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, Verse 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. Verse 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Devotion
Today we celebrate the ministry of James the apostle. The text from Mark recalls the story of James and his brother John asking to sit at Jesus’ left and right hands in glory. Little did they know what they were asking!
We all yearn for a little recognition: a pat on the back for work well done, a bump up in esteem when we accomplish something. But Jesus’ response to them gave opportunity for the disciples to hear how Jesus recognizes greatness – not by grand achievement, but through servanthood.
In God’s economy we become great through service to the other. Our orientation then shifts away from doing things in order to achieve greatness in the eyes of the world to watching for opportunities to be in service to the other – for that is how our God delights in our greatness.
Prayer
Gracious God, open our eyes so that we may see the needs of our neighbor. We ask this through Jesus Christ, servant of all. Amen.