James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher,
we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you
want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand
and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you
are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them,
“The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized,
you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant,
but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they
began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them,
“You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord
we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you
want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand
and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you
are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them,
“The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized,
you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant,
but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they
began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them,
“You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord
it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you;
but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35-45
but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35-45
Very few people notice the people who serve them day in and day out. Some folks
even get surly to those simply doing their job, but not fast enough for others' liking.
Servants are the lowest paid and the most often disrespected. They clean up messes
that others would not. They are often the first to lose their positions when businesses
cut back. They are often never known by name. Being the least means taking the worst
from folks and asking God to redeem it. Being the least means not getting your way
but getting out of others' way and making room for God to transform it all Two brothers
ask to be first among the disciples in the final days. They really didn't know what they
even get surly to those simply doing their job, but not fast enough for others' liking.
Servants are the lowest paid and the most often disrespected. They clean up messes
that others would not. They are often the first to lose their positions when businesses
cut back. They are often never known by name. Being the least means taking the worst
from folks and asking God to redeem it. Being the least means not getting your way
but getting out of others' way and making room for God to transform it all Two brothers
ask to be first among the disciples in the final days. They really didn't know what they
asked for. Yet, we humans ache to be the star of the show, the famous and the one who
people strain to see. Yet Jesus tells them that in God's design, those of us who are
willing to be the unsung, the unknown, and those who set the stage for others are really
the first in God's eyes and heart. The Creator made us for love - self-giving, serving,
honoring love. In giving ourselves away, we will find love in the awesome presence
of our Creator.
Today I ask God to help me be a servant, living self-giving service, not for any honors
but because that is where God is known. May we serve others with joy trusting that
the Creator joins us there.
people strain to see. Yet Jesus tells them that in God's design, those of us who are
willing to be the unsung, the unknown, and those who set the stage for others are really
the first in God's eyes and heart. The Creator made us for love - self-giving, serving,
honoring love. In giving ourselves away, we will find love in the awesome presence
of our Creator.
Today I ask God to help me be a servant, living self-giving service, not for any honors
but because that is where God is known. May we serve others with joy trusting that
the Creator joins us there.
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the
nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world
may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world
may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
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