For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Living a life of service is not at the top of most people's priority lists. You see, we want to be served rather than be the person serving. In a world focused on how others can help and serve them, Jesus taught something different. He taught that we are to love those around us by serving, putting their interests above our own.
Even Jesus’ disciples needed to learn that their calling was to serve others rather than be served. In Mark 10, two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, came to Him and said, “We want you to do us a favor” (verse 35). They continued, saying, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left” (verse 37). These brothers wanted to be honored and respected by having special seats next to Jesus one day. Jesus told them that God the Father has chosen who will have those special seats, not Him (verse 40). Of course, when the other disciples heard that James and John had asked Jesus about having places of honor next to Him, they were “indignant” (verse 41). As a result, Jesus “called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different” (verses 42-43). Although the world desires honor, power, and recognition, Jesus taught a better way. He continued telling His disciples, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else” (verses 43-44). In a world where rank and position are important to many people, Jesus flipped the hierarchy of leadership upside down. Those who want to lead and have places of honor must serve. Jesus finished teaching His disciples about serving others, saying, "Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many" (verse 45). Jesus had all reason to demand to be served, but instead, He came to this earth and took on the role of a servant and lived a lifestyle of service.
If Jesus’ mission while He was on this earth was to serve, then our mission must also be to serve. As His followers, our calling is to serve others. Instead of looking for ways to be served and to receive recognition, we are called to look for ways to serve and help others. When we commit to living a lifestyle of service, we will find purpose and point others around us to Christ.
Take time now to memorize Mark 10:43-44. As you go throughout your day, commit to having the mindset of a servant. Look for opportunities all around you to serve and help others. If you look for them, you will find many opportunities to show God’s love to others by serving them.
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 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. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 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.”
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