Devotional Messages

DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE

Mark 10:45 – “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  (NRSV)

The Christian life is so full of paradoxes!  Some of them are easier to embrace than others.  Earlier in this passage from Mark, the disciples James and John demanded that Jesus promised they could sit right on either side of him in his glory.  (Just saying it like makes clear how silly this is, right?)  Jesus warned them that they didn’t know what they were asking: “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”  James and John, of course, immediately answered, “We are able,” further illustrating just how deeply they didn’t understand the question.

The hymn “Are Ye Able,” Said the Master ironically immortalizes this story with the line “Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered, “to the death we follow thee.”  To put it that way, of course, brings in the bravado of Peter as well, reminding us that most of the disciples ran away and abandoned Jesus in his hour of need.  The rest of the song asks the question of us.  The chorus, thankfully, recognizes that in order for us to honestly be “able” we need to give our spirits to God for remolding and guidance.

What does it mean to follow a Savior whose purpose was to serve others and offer his life for them?  What kind of lessons should this invitation to servanthood teach us about leadership?  Do we look for humility and selflessness when we choose our leaders?  Or do we prefer the ones who promise to look out for our interests, no matter who else may be suffering?  Why are we so attracted to “strength” when we know that the love of Jesus was perfected in weakness?  Why is it so much harder to embrace a humble Teacher than a conquering hero?  Jesus tells us we are not to be like those whose rulers “lord it over them,” but rather to seek greatness by serving one another in love.  It seems like an odd way to “win,” but then, Jesus wasn’t interested in winning.