MARK 10:35-45

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

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

 Hopefully you’re seeing the trend…

Time after time, Jesus is asked by those closest to him, how to gain the kingdom of God, how to sit at His right hand, how to gain the world…

And the answer remains constant…serve.

Become a servant to the servant’s servant.

Become as lowly as possible.

Become last.

Become least.

What a tragic message in an economy and society based on click-baiting, amassing Twitter followers, likes, and retweets, seeking over-night fame through YouTube videos, and the increasing charge to dominate the global marketplace.

So how do we enter God’s kingdom?

Serve.

How do we become first?

Be last.

How do we become great?

Be least.

For the Son of God came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

May we become less, least, and serve.

Amen.