Food for Thought
The measure of greatness is how low we are willing to go to help someone else.
The Word of God for the People of God
Mark 10:32-45 (excerpt)
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflection on the Word of God
Jesus lived by a different set of rules than those in authority in his day—and ours. He saw life as Isaiah did when he declared as God’s voice, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8) He lived in tune with God’s ways and continues to lead us through the Spirit to do the same.
Under the world’s ways, in his day as in ours, rulers “rule” over those who are not rulers. They “lord” it over them, establishing their authority, status, pomp
Jesus had a different vision. In the realm of Jesus, no one “rules” over another. No one has more authority in God’s Kingdom than another, though there are a variety of roles and responsibilities. We are all servants of Christ and of one another. We are all called to share one baptism, one cup, one cross
This goes against the grain at all levels of the world’s culture, in business and government, and even in the church, because we are so influenced by the self-focused world culture. We know how to talk the talk of servant leadership, but often we don’t walk the walk. Pride and ego creep in, and soon the church looks just like the world. If it happened
On their way to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way and teaching of his impending death, James and John began to dream of grandeur. “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” What were they thinking? Did they have any twinge of conscience when they left the other disciples out of their leadership plan? How did these men, steeped in Jesus’ teachings about humility, acquire such an exclusive sense of entitlement? How do we?
Let us remember that we follow the Son of Man who did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). May we find our measure of greatness in how low we are willing to go in service, rather than how high in status.
If status comes, may we use it for God’s Glory, to lessen someone’s burdens and make the world a better place, and not for selfish gain or prideful ego.
Our Response to God
Lord Jesus, we/I fall far short of the vision you set before us. In your teachings and by your example, we know you call us to seek and to do what we shrink away from. You lead us to do what we want others to do for us—for people far different from ourselves—even our enemies. Like the disciples, we dream dreams of grandeur too. We see great things for ourselves more often than visions of lowly servanthood.
Help us to show the world your way and relinquish our inordinate desires for status, authority, applause, wealth and power—and take your hand into the fulfillment we will gain from meeting the needs of a world in trouble, or a person in trouble. Let no task be too small or lowly, nor too great or lofty, but all be done with humility. May our compassionate actions of service touch the lives of those seeking human kindness and bring credit to the name of Christ in the church, community
