Jesus Came Not to be Served but to Serve

This meditation is based on a passage for March 26, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Mark 10:32-45

Reflection and Question: When James and John came to Jesus to ask that they might sit at His side when He came into glory, He must have known there was a lot more work to be done to help them understand what He was about. His first lesson is repeated in many different ways in the Gospels: “whoever wishes to be great among you must become a servant.” How much easier this is said than done. Our human nature pushes us hard to elevate a leader above us, rather than have our leader join with us or even stand beneath us, a trusted servant who is “slave” of all. Who is in charge if our leaders are servants?

Prayer: Blessed Jesus, we open our minds to Your word that You came not to be served but to serve and that this is what You expect from us in the church as well. Show us how our churches can raise up this kind of leader and then help them serve. Amen.