In Mark 10 we find the brothers James and John approaching the Savior apart from their fellow disciples. In apparent agreement with each other about their own greatness, these two brothers bring Jesus a special request.
Apparently John and James think the Savior shares their lofty assessment of themselves…Jesus asks them what they desire. They answer, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand, and the one at your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:35-37)
…They undoubtedly assumed such a prominent place for them is appropriate in light of their obvious superiority…
The prideful desires of their hearts are on full display. There’s nothing subtle about their request..They want to be famous, pure and simple. James and John have defined greatness as position and power, and they want the title. They want respect, the acclaim, and the importance. In their pride-dominated hearts, Jesus is just a means to the end of their personal exaltation…
Can you see yourself in this story? It;’s easy for us at times to disdain the disciples and fail to recognize our face in thier portrait..If you’re like me, you compare youreslf to others and look for opportunities to claim greater importance than them, just as the disciples did.
Thankfully, Jesus is merciful and gentle with our pride-drenched hearts, just as He was with His errant disciples. We read in Mark 10;42, “And Jesus called them to him.” Can you sense the Savior’s patience with them, as well as His loving commitment to teach them what they so desperately need to learn.
He reminds them first of what they’ve all observed during…Roman occupation: “you know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.” Then the Savior sets down a contrast: “But it shall not be so among you.”
What I find especially fascinating and instructive in His next words is that Jesus does not categorically criticize or forbid the desire and ambition to be great. Instead, He clearly redirects that ambition, redefines it, and purifies it: “But whosover would be great among ou must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (vv.43-44)
– Excerpted portion from Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney.
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