“You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42b-45)
Here we are approaching the final days of Lent, the climatic point of our salvation, the crucifixion of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. Yet are we thinking about Jesus, or ourselves? Are we thinking about the stark terror of the cross, or are we thinking about the sumptuous food we are going to enjoy on Easter? Are we thinking about the eternal death Jesus saved us from, or are we thinking about eggs, rabbits, chocolate, and jelly beans? Are we thinking about the slavery of sin, or are we planning our Easter vacation?
On the way to the cross, the thoughts of the disciples of Jesus were far from the cross. It was not even remotely in their thought process. They were quarreling over greatness. Their minds were not focused on a death on a cross but on their place in the glorious Kingdom which Jesus would shortly establish. They coveted the highest positions.
Jesus set them straight for such behavior is unacceptable and sinful in the Kingdom of God. Instead of vying for the best positions or seeking fame and power, all disciples of Jesus are called to follow Him, to be His servants, to be the servants of one another. A disciple is given authority and power but not to boost their egos as do the rulers of this world. They are consumed by their lust for power over others. They covet and demand the respect and admiration of all.
One of the major ways in which people fail to serve God wholeheartedly is by pursuing the pleasures of this life, fame, riches, and wealth. Many think that money will buy happiness, security, and eternal life. Some confuse riches with being blessed and accepted by God. Others think that they can earn their way into heaven by doing good deeds, performing religious rituals, or appearing pious and holy. Such people are trusting in their own works and not God.
Jesus rightly rebuked His disciples, a rebuke we do well to heed. As He did so, Jesus set down the one basic principle which must characterize every true disciple, the one which summarizes His ministry: humble service. A true disciple forsakes his own way to serve others and thereby serve God. A true disciple does not exalt self but exalts God. This is imitation of Jesus Himself who surrendered the glory of heaven for a time to become just like us, a human being. And what is more, He came to take on our sins and suffer our punishment. If we wish to follow Him we too must lay down our lives for others, our enemies as well as our friends and loved ones.