Putting Others First

FOCUS

Mark 10:42-45
42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

THINK

Prior to this passage we find James and John asking Jesus to be seated on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus in heaven. Jesus asks them if they "are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They reply that they can. Jesus goes on to tell them that those positions are not his to give away. The other 10 disciples murmmer against James and John. Jesus soothes them by telling them that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over those whom they are in charge of. It is not what the disciples are to do. They are placed here to be servants. The greatest one will be the one who is a servant to all. Jesus goes on to tell them that he did not come to earth to be served, but rather to serve and give his life for many.

ACT

Jesus wants us to be servants to others. That is not the western way. Our culture is one of me first. How can I get ahead and be successful? How can I make sure the one in front of me for a job misses out so that I can step in that "dream" job? So many questions-yet it all boils down to selfishness. How can we serve if we are selfish? This is not the way Jesus wanted us to live our lives. To live in accordance with the teaching of Jesus, we must serve others and not just one or two people, but all people. This takes an entirely different mind set. We must put others first.

PRAY

Father, I am selfish. Forgive me. Help me to overcome this sin and be aware of the needs of others. Lord, show me how to put others first in my life. Help me to love as YOU love. I need your discernment, wisdom, love, knowledge, and power to be the person you designed me to be. Amen.

OTHER NOTES

What will you do for others?