whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant

Mark 10:35-52

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”  “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”  “We can,” they answered

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

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.”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Why?

John and James did not know the meaning of Jesus's coming, so they requested to sit beside Jesus then Jesus became king. 

Jesus reply to them whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. To be a king in the nation should be a servant of the nation's people.

Jesus is an example he is the king of Kings but he came to serve his lift to all who follow Him.

------------- Learning from the word

1. In your glory: to reign in the kingdom of God.
2. The cup I drank and the baptism I received: It refers to the pain and difficulty that the Lord Jesus will suffer when he is about to go to the cross.
3. Ransom: It is the price the Lord Jesus paid for saving people from sin.

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The blind beggar recognized Jesus as the Savior, and the disciples lived with the Lord Jesus every day, but still only thought about what they wanted. The Lord Jesus lovingly and patiently taught them what they did not understand. We also need to read the Bible every day, learn the words of the Lord Jesus humbly, know more about Him, understand the wisdom He speaks, and learn from His example.

How?

Jesus is our Lord so we should follow the way of Jesus to serve others. I am close to the Lord every morning to read the Bible. But do I really understand the wisdom He speaks, and learn from His example?