“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 10:42-45

Jesus does not want his church on earth to be a rudderless ship. That’s why he gave it leaders, like the 12 apostles. In the book of Hebrews, we are urged to obey our spiritual leaders, but that does not mean he wants us to take our model for leadership in his kingdom from the world around us. 

“The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.” 

The disciples understood this all too well. The Jews lived under the rule of the Gentile Romans, who didn’t work to win their trust or prove their capable and efficient administration. They simply invaded and took over because of their superior military might. 

Our world sees that as a kind of “greatness,” doesn’t it? Think about the names of world leaders who have had “the great” added to their names: Alexander the Great, Herod the Great, Charlemagne (Charles the Great), Peter the Great. Generally, these were men of blood and war who expanded their influence by forcing their will on others. Their greatness came by way of power.

“Not so with you.” 

Greatness with God’s people is not about having the power to force your will and get your way. 

“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” 

Do you want to be great in God’s eyes and being an important part of the work of his kingdom? Then be a slave to all by taking care of the needs of others. This follows the path to truly godly greatness, which comes not by power, but by service.

“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.”

Jesus is the very Son of God. Yet when he came into our world, he did not throw his weight around. He didn’t use his divine power to control everything that everyone else was doing. He didn’t force people to agree with him or become his disciples. He didn’t expect people to wait on him hand and foot.

He served. He healed. He taught. He loved. He went without sleep and food. He gave away much of the money he received. He won our trust. He proved his love. Then he gave his life as a ransom for many. 

Nourish your faith in between Sundays by reading more of John’s writings at BitsOfBread.org.

Be a servant

On ShareFest weekend April 29 & 30, local churches and residents come together to show Christ’s love in tangible ways. Each year, volunteers handle between 250 and 300 projects in one weekend, cleaning up yards, picking up trash, washing windows and hooking up coolers for Mesa County seniors.

If you would like to submit a request for help or would like to volunteer, call 970-778-4880 or sign up at GJShareFest.com 

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