Our Gospel reading today from Mark 10 features an interesting story. The sons of Zebedee, James and John, come and ask Jesus that “in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” This request didn’t sit too well with the other ten Apostles. So Jesus has to give them all a lesson. “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I’ts in our nature to seek glory. We see people who are rich and famous and have people waiting on them hand and foot, and we admire them. They’ve “made it” in life. As with so many other things, Jesus sets that idea on its head.
Jesus came to serve. And He expects His disciples to do the same. A life of service is probably not going to be a glamorous life. But do you think that Jesus’ bloodied body on the cross was glamorous? That’s what true service looks like. Being willing to die for others. Even if that means not physical death, but dying to self. Perhaps that’s the tougher part.
Father, may our lives be lives of service. Teach us to die to self that we may serve you by serving others. Amen.
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