great

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me when I turn life into a popularity contest and stop living it the way you designed it to be.  Help me to love and serve today.  Help me to seek to be last and least.  For only then will I be living as you lived.  Amen.

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Journal: How can you relate to James and John today?  Where in your life are you jockeying for position?  Why?  What would it look like to love and serve instead?

Reflection: Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way.  This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. (The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer)

     Jockeying for position is just a part of life it seems.  In this fallen world we are constantly comparing and posturing and competing, as if there were a limited amount of love and affirmation for everyone and we must get our share before it is all gone.  Unfortunately, this way of thinking makes the people in our lives and in our world threats and obstacles rather than brothers and sisters.  Even the disciples dealt with this phenomenon, trying to rise above each other rather than loving and serving each other.  Why then should we think it would be any different for us?

     Jesus, however, came to open our ears to a new voice.  A voice that tells us that we do not become great or first in the kingdom of God by jockeying and competing, we become great and first in the kingdom of God by serving, by becoming last and least.  His admonition is simple: “Stop jockey and start loving and serving.  That is what I came to do and that is what I am calling each of you to.  Giving your life away is the only way you will truly find your life.” 

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give your life as a ransom for many.  Help me to do the same.  Amen.