Servant
[T]he Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45
In tomorrow’s gospel reading, Jesus continues to teach his disciples what it means to follow him. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask Jesus for seats of honor: “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (v. 37). Jesus responds, “You do not know what you are asking” (v. 38). They must have forgotten what Jesus has just told them! He will be condemned to death. He will be mocked and spat upon. They want to join him in his suffering?
Jesus’ lessons are hard to hear. Want a seat of glory? Expect to suffer. Want to inherit the kingdom of God? Give everything away. Want to be first? Take a seat at the back. His teaching turns the world upside down.
There’s a psychological term for James and John’s hard-headedness. It’s called cognitive dissonance. We readily dismiss information and perspectives that do not match our established worldview. Yet, if we allow it, God will break open our hearts and show us a new way, the way of life.
Jesus’ teaching in tomorrow’s reading is the central lesson in the gospel of Mark: The kingdom of God is marked by service to others. In other words, we find your welfare in the welfare of others. Jesus went as far as giving up his very life for the sake of the world.
How are you called to serve?
I often find that music opens up my heart. As you consider this question, take a moment to listen to the Cape Town Youth Choir sing, “Brother let me be your servant” by Richard Gillard. Here are the lyrics:
Brother let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant too.
We are pilgrims on a journey, we are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other, walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ light for you, in the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony.
Born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.
