July 3, 2015: Mark 10:35-45

Mark 10:35-45

³⁵James 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.” ³⁶And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” ³⁷And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” ³⁸But 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?” ³⁹They 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; ⁴⁰but 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.”

⁴¹When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.⁴²So 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. ⁴³But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Reflection:

At my first church two of the youth asked if they could paint the youth room. These two youth led the others: they designed each wall and picked out colors, rallied the other youth together for painting afternoons, and when enthusiasm waned, they finished the last of the job. Part of the design was to put the handprints of all the youth on the wall. In the end, these two only wanted their handprints on the wall. I insisted that all the youth participate and get their handprint and name on the wall. I understand where the two were coming from. The new design had been their idea, they had worked hard to execute it while others’ bored of it after one work day; in truth they did deserve the extra recognition.

It is human nature to crave to be the first, the honored one, and to be praised for our efforts. However, Jesus calls us to be servants. This often plays out in the church: one person or group of people will put the greatest amount of time, effort, and energy into a project and they may desire, and certainly deserve special recognition. It does not make sense according to our human standards, but the walk of a disciple is more concerned with service than accolades, sacrifice more so than recognition. 

Questions:

1.       What motivates me to serve God?
2.       In what ways do I desire rewards, recognition, or accolades for the things I do or give to God?
3.       How can I reorient my heart so that I will not be concerned with the recognition of others, but instead on my commitment to love and serve God?

Prayer:

Lord, I love you and desire to do your will. Sometimes, I desire not only to do your will but to be noticed for it: awards, attention, even a simple thank you. Help me to appreciate these thank offerings, but not to rely on them. Instead, may my motivation for service come from my deep desire to be more Christ-like and to use my gifts to serve God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen