Day 61

Leviticus 25:47–27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22

IN THE GOSPEL of Mark, we once again walked with Jesus as He journeyed toward Jerusalem —and death. The disciples and the others following along were expecting big things to happen in the Holy City. Jesus took the opportunity to explain that the big things were going to be less about revolt against Rome and the oppressive religious system they were living under and more about His own demise —but they didn’t quite understand.

James and John came for a private word: “We want you to do us a favor” (Mark 10:35).

They wanted Jesus to grant them positions of glory by seating them on His right and left sides when He came into His Kingdom. The other disciples found this rather arrogant and chastised them for it.

Despite the enormous emotional load on His shoulders, not to mention the natural dread of what He was soon to endure, Jesus stepped into the argument. And He changed the atmosphere entirely by offering the posture of God’s Kingdom:

You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

This idea goes against the grain of our culture and can feel counterintuitive. But is it? Was Jesus wrong about this, or have we been indoctrinated to live backward to the ways of the Kingdom?

Let’s test the theory. For the next month, let’s be a servant to our spouses, our colleagues, our fellow congregants, and anyone we can lend a helping hand to —and see what kinds of adjustments begin to develop in our outlook on life and worldview as a result. If Jesus was right, we will find ourselves profoundly more aware and intentional about our days. And we will have followed in the path of the Savior, which is the only way to know and become like Him.

PRAYER:

I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.