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POSITION AND POWER
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Mark 10:32-45

Luke 22:27

 

“…whosoever of you
will be the chiefest,

shall be servant of all.”

 

POSITION AND POWER
 
Here we find James and John—the sons of Zebedee—requesting from Jesus the two highest positions in His kingdom. They pictured Jesus sitting on the throne of His glory, and desired for the left and right seats of power. In other words, when Jesus becomes Prime Minister, they would like to be first and second deputy prime ministers respectively. In response Jesus said, “Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with?” (Mark 10:38). The “cup” and the “baptism” point to His suffering and death (cf. Matt 26:39,42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; Rom 6:3,4). The two answered that they were able to suffer and die with the Lord.
 
Jesus foretold that they would indeed drink the cup of suffering and experience the baptism of death. James would eventually be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John banished to the Isle of Patmos (Rev 1:9). The rest of the Apostles (save the traitor—Judas Iscariot—who committed suicide) each also died a martyr’s death. Tradition has it that the other pair of brothers— Peter and Andrew—died by crucifixion. Peter was crucified upside down, and Andrew on an X-shaped cross. Jesus promised that those who suffer for Him will one day reign with Him. Jesus had already promised them, “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt 19:28). However, whether James and John would get to sit on the highest positions they asked for was not for Him to appoint, but the Father.
 
Then Jesus gave them a lesson on true greatness. “[W]hosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:43,44). Jesus Himself is the supreme example of true servanthood and greatness, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Greatness is not measured by how much people are serving you, but how much you are serving others.
 
THOUGHT: If we want to be great, we must be like Jesus.

PRAYER: (Pray for a servant’s heart.)

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