“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” — Mark 10:43-44
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From my youth, I remember hearing my parents say, “Be the best you can be,” or “Do your best.” I think what they really wanted to say was, “Be the best!” There is something instilled inside of us that desires we be the best, or at least great, at something, whether it be sports, education, music or whatever.
As the disciples walked with Jesus, they were continually hearing Jesus speak of His Kingdom. One day, they were making their way to Jerusalem when Jesus pulled the 12 aside and shared with them that when they arrived, the Son of Man would be arrested, mocked, spit on, scourged and killed, but would later rise after three days. If you heard Jesus say those things, how would you react? The disciples’ reaction was to begin jockeying for position in His Kingdom. James and John wanted to sit on either side of Jesus’ throne. The other disciples were angry at James and John, probably because they had thought of asking but didn’t have the courage.
Jesus set the disciples straight by letting them know that in His Kingdom things operate much differently than in the world. He said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (v. 45). Do you want to be great in His Kingdom? Follow Jesus’ lead and learn how to serve those around you.
— Mickey Weston, Chicago White Sox chaplain
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