Whoever Wishes to Be Great Must Be Your Servant

This meditation is based on a passage for February 11, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Mark 10:32-45

Reflection and Question: This is a variation on the repeated scene where Jesus warns of what is to come in Jerusalem and the disciples’ response shows they do not understand Him. We saw it in the passage on Monday of this week. Here James and John respond by asking Jesus if they may sit at His right hand in glory. Jesus replies that this is not His to give and He uses the occasion to teach about how to be a leader in the community they will build together. Jesus emphasizes, “Whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” How do you live out what Jesus teaches?

Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher and Savior, we take in that You “came not to be served but to serve” and to give Your life a ransom for many. And we know that You mean for us to follow You in such service. May we walk in Your way each day, we pray. Amen.