Serve Others as Jesus Serves You
Welcome to Day 285 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we think about how we will respond to Jesus. The main truth for today is this: Jesus calls us to serve others under his authority, following the one who gave his life to set us free. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 5 of 5
Decide how you will respond to Jesus.
Mark 10:35–45 records what Jesus said when James and John asked for places of honor. Jesus answered with a call to serve. This passage invites you to follow that call.
Watch: Can You Choose Service Over Status Like Jesus Calls You To?
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Two Brothers Ask for Honor.
James and John asked Jesus for special positions. They wanted to sit at his right and at his left in glory. Jesus did not promise them honor or power. Jesus said, “You do not know what you are asking.” Following Jesus is not about gaining a higher place than other people. The passage calls you to stop treating greatness as being above others.
The Cup Jesus Would Drink.
Jesus asked, “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” The “cup” and the “baptism” refer to suffering. Jesus warned that following him means facing hardship. Following Jesus is not only words. It means being willing to face difficulty when it comes.
The Other Disciples Become Angry.
The other ten disciples heard about the request. They became angry with James and John. Their anger shows how the desire for status can divide people. Jesus gathered them and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.” Then Jesus said, “Not so with you.” The passage calls you not to use power to control other people. In every part of life, Jesus calls his followers to a different way.
The Servant of All.
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” This is not a one-time good deed. It is a way of living. The passage invites you to notice the needs of people around you and to help. This includes times when no one sees or thanks you. Greatness in Jesus’ kingdom means giving your time and attention to others.
The Son of Man Served First.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” “Son of Man” is a title Jesus often used for himself. Jesus did not ask his disciples to do anything he had not done. Jesus gave up his rights and his life. The passage invites you to receive what Jesus has done and to follow his example.
Jesus said the Son of Man came to serve and to give his life for many. This is the Respond step in the Jesus365 Journey. The response is to serve others, not to seek your own honor.
Consider this.
What response does Jesus require?
Take your next step
Serve beneath the authority of the Son who gave His life rather than serving to secure recognition.
What This Means for Your Life.
Jesus teaches that greatness is not what most people think. In this passage, he does not tell people to compete with one another. He shows a different way. True greatness comes from serving others. It does not come from making sure others notice you. Jesus does not ask you to serve alone. He served first. He gave his life “as a ransom for many.”
These words matter if you are tired of trying to show that you are important. They matter if you compare yourself to others. They matter if you use your position to feel safe. Jesus calls you to stop judging your life by who is included and who is not. His words also warn that hardship comes with following him. Following Jesus can mean difficult choices. It can mean loving someone even when it is hard. It can mean doing what is right when no one says thank you.
One way to respond today is to serve someone who cannot pay you back. Do it in a quiet way. Help at home. Encourage a classmate or coworker. Sit with someone who is alone. Give your time to someone others overlook. Do it without telling anyone what you did.
Reflection question: Where are you most tempted to seek praise instead of serving?
