They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him 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 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 as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:32-45
Humans are always jostling for position, recognition and attention. Whether it is young siblings fighting for their parents' attention, or workers trying to get the better job and the affection of their boss. It is, indeed, a human impulse. And yet, Jesus pushes back on both James and John as well as all the disciples, including us today. To be faithful followers or Jesus calls us to be servants, and willing to go to the rough places and among the unwanted and the outcasts.
Creator God, you fashioned each of us
to bring our gifts to serve the world
yet we would have the world serve us
and we ache for attention and honors.
Jesus offered himself for all humanity
despite knowing his hoor and place
the Savior of the world washed feet
and offered his life suffering for all.
Let us today follow his loving example
being ready to serve the outcasts and needy
ready to go to messy and overlooked places
to bring your love as we serve the people. Amen.
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