As a young child, caught in the act of peer pressure in behaving badly, my mom and dad sat me down and proceeded to deliver the punishment with the words many of us grew up with in our childhood: “If they decided to jump off a bridge, would you do it, too?!”  The first of many times I would hear this growing up, put fear into my being!

This question was not asked to be answered by me; but a definite way to tell me I am not to be that way in this family who follows Jesus.  This statement/question was usually followed up with a sermon of strong focus on: “Do not follow others into bad behavior—do what you know to be right and good.”  This kind of behavior of following the crowd is not going to be in your best interest.  Be different.

Two young disciples of Jesus are caught up in the world of power-seeking for a moment in their growing and learning.  With a little success under their belts in their followership of Jesus, their new hearts’ desires are to have greater positions with Jesus in the Kingdom of God! And why not?  That’s how the world around them displays power—in rank and position—so others will know how important they are.  Isn’t that how it works?

Mark 10, The Message

The Highest Places of Honor

³⁵ James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

³⁶ “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

³⁷ “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

³⁸ Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

^39-40 “Sure,” they said. “Why not?”

Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

^41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

James and John need an attitude adjustment with a heart checkup.  Jesus, our Great Physician, is quick to diagnose with a remedy for healing.  “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.  Be different that the world!

Jesus was His followers Supreme Example, (and for us who believe) who had a desire to be like Him.  “I came to serve, not to be served—and then give away my life in exchange for many who area held hostage.”  This is different that what the world says and does.  Most of disciples will internalize this message and do great miracles and deliver powerful message in Jesus Name later, after Jesus goes back to His Father in heaven.  But for now, Jesus uses James and John’s foolish request as a teachable moment. Jesus helps them to see the difference between seeking Him and seeking what the world seeks.  He points out the differences.  World thinking seeks position and power so they can be on top and in control over others?  Well, “it’s NOT going to be that way with you.”  Jesus then shows them with His own life. 

Lesson learned—except for Judas.

Our response? 

If we truly believe in Jesus and want to follow in His steps to be like Him, we will seek to serve, not to be served. We will not be of the world but go into all the world and tell the Good News to the hostages held by sin that they too can be freed from the bondage, free to love, free to serve with freedom to tell others!  

Oh Lord,

This wanting it all, to lord over all, is an age-old problem that began with Satan who wanted not just to be like you but want to be You! But You changed everything, dear Jesus, when you gave your life in exchange for ours!  You defeated once and for all the real enemy—the prince of this world. 

Thank you for not only saving our souls but giving us power to live differently—to be more like you—which is different that how the world teaches us to be.  Help me to be more and more like you and less like my nature that tends to follow the crowd because it’s easier. 

Be our strength and wisdom to be different.  Give us the right words to say to make a difference in this world by telling your story for your glory so others will also know how to escape and follow you.  May our new life of service be pleasing to you—even today.  This world is not our home, we are only travelers on our way to You.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen