Serving Others Like Jesus

⁴² So Jesus called them (disciples) together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ⁴³ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)

After Jesus’ third and final Passion prediction of His coming suffering and death (Mark 10:33-34), two of Jesus’ disciples came over and asked Jesus for a special favor (Mark 10:35; see also Matthew 20:20). The two disciples were James and John. James and John were brothers and the sons of Zebedee (Mark 10:35; see also Matthew 20:20). Jesus called James and John “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17) when He chose them to be His apostles (Mark 1:19-20; see also Matthew 4:21-22). In Matthew’s Gospel, James and John’s mother came to Jesus and “kneeling down, asked a favor of Him” (Matthew 20:20), while Mark’s Gospel recorded that James and John asked for themselves (Mark 10:35-37). In both Matthew and Mark Gospels, the brothers wanted to sit on honored thrones next to Jesus in His glorious and majestic Kingdom (Mark 10:37; see also Matthew 19:28; Matthew 20:21). God’s Kingdom is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Essentially, James and John were asking Jesus for power, prestige, and authority in God’s Kingdom. James and John’s request indicate they correctly understood Jesus as the Messiah and God’s Son (Mark 8:29; Mark 9:2-8). Even more, James, John, and their mother were claiming the promise Jesus had given that, in His future Kingdom, His disciples would sit on Twelve thrones with Him (Matthew 19:28; see also Luke 22:28-30). However, James and John completely misunderstood what it meant to be a leader in God’s Kingdom.

Moreover, James and John were like many other Jews in the first century. Like many other first century Jews, James and John believed that Jesus was the Messiah that would establish His earthly Kingdom and free Israel from Rome's oppression. James and John wanted honored places in Jesus’ earthly Kingdom. However, Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world and not centered in palaces and thrones. Instead, Jesus’ Kingdom reigns in the hearts and lives of His faithful followers. One day when Jesus returns, He will establish His glorious Kingdom on earth (see Revelation 21:1-22:5).

Jesus told James and John, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I must drink from? Or to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” (Mark 10:38, TLB; see also Matthew 20:22). Immediately, James and John affirmed to Jesus that they were able to accept any affliction, sorrow, and suffering in order to sit on thrones in God’s Kingdom (Mark 10:38-39; Matthew 20:23). Next, Jesus said to James and John, “You shall indeed drink from My cup and be baptized with My baptism, but I do not have the right to place you on thrones next to Mine. Those appointments have already been made.” (Mark 10:39-40, TLB; see also Matthew 20:23). The “cup” and “baptism” Jesus references were figures of speech for His coming Passion – trial, suffering, and execution at the hands of the religious leaders and Romans (see Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:32-36; Luke 12:50). In fact, both James and John would share Jesus’ baptism and the cup of suffering. In later years, James was the first of the disciples to be martyred (Acts 12:2) and John suffered great persecution and forced into exile on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Next, Jesus informed James and John that only God the Father appoints and ordain who will sit on Jesus’ right hand and His left hand (Mark 10:40; see also Matthew 20:23).

When the ten other disciples heard that James and John had asked Jesus for high positions in God’s Kingdom, they were indignant (outraged) (Mark 10:41; see also Matthew 20:24). Selfish requests usually result in discord, arguments, and division (James 3:13-4:3). All Jesus’ disciples wanted to be great in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 18:1). Yet, James and John’s request was not the first time the disciples had committed this sin. During Jesus’ public ministry, His disciples often argued among themselves who would be greatest in His Kingdom (e.g. see Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 22:24). In the light of Jesus’ coming service and suffering to bring salvation, the disciples’ self-centeredness was inexcusable.

However, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “As you know, the kings and great men of the earth lord it over the people; but among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. For even I, the Messiah (Son of Man), am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45, TLB; see also Matthew 20:25-27; Luke 22:26-27). Once again, Jesus tried to teach His disciples what it meant to be an “important person” in God’s Kingdom. Jesus had previously taught His disciples that greatness comes through humbly helping and serving others (Matthew 18:4; Mark 9:33-37; see also Luke 22:26). Anyone who wishes to be important and first in rank among the people must be the people’s servant (Mark 10:44; see also 1 Peter 5:1-5). In God’s Kingdom, loving and serving others, doing good deeds in the world, and helping others in need is what God requires (e.g., see Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28; John 13:34-35; John 15:12, 17; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 Timothy 3-7). True disciples of Jesus do not search for power and authority but always seek out ways to help others. God’s graciously gives His authority not for self-importance, ambition, or respect, but for humble service to Him and others (1 Peter 5:1-7). The greatest disciple will be the greatest servant (Mark 10:43).

Then, Jesus said to His disciples that He came to serve and help others (Mark 10:45; see also Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:1-11). Although Jesus is the glorious image of God, the Son of God, and the Messiah (Christ) (e.g., see Mark 1:1; John 20:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6), He served the people and willingly gave His life as a ransom to bring their salvation (Mark 10:45; see also Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:27; John 13:13-16). Jesus paid the ransom price of His life to free us from the slavery of sin and eternal death (1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Only Jesus’ sacrificial death would bring salvation (Romans 3:25).

¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But do not use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT)

Like many people today, the disciples were making the mistake of following the world’s examples of greatness. Instead of modeling themselves after Jesus (Acts 10:34-38; 1 Corinthians 11:1), James and John were admiring the glory, power, and authority of world leaders. God's patterns in the Holy Scripture teach that His people are to “serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13; see also 1 Corinthians 9:19; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Ephesians 5:21). This was true of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Timothy, and even our Lord Jesus Himself (see Philippians 2:1-11). These great leaders humbly served God and others. God’s grace and goodness are opportunities to love, to do good, and serve one another for God’s glory (see Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Greatness is not ruling over others but serving them (Matthew 20:26).

³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 (NIV)

Jesus’ life and ministry reflected the role of service and love for others (e.g., see Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 10:34-38). As promised King and Messiah, Jesus saw Himself as God's Servant sent to suffer for and serve God's people. During His public ministry, Jesus’ mission was service and salvation; not power and prestige (Philippians 2:1-11). As followers of Jesus, all Christians must identify and imitate Jesus in His service and suffering (1 Peter 2:21). Through faith in Jesus, Christians are all equal and fellow servants of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 23:8; Matthew 23:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:9). According to Jesus, “The greatest among you must be a servant” (Matthew 23:11, NLT; see also Mark 10:43; Luke 22:26).

Jesus instructed His disciples not to seek power, prestige, or wealth (Matthew 23:6) but humble services towards others (Matthew 23:11-12; see also John 3:30; John 13:12-17). The world’s system of leadership is often selfish and arrogant as they claw their way to the top. But among Christians, the leader is to be the one who serves best. Even though God has graciously given His people special gifts and talents through His Holy Spirit, these talents and gifts are for service in God’s Kingdom and serving others (see Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31). No one in the church should rule over others; all should serve one another in a spirit of humility and love before God. Since all Christians are to be servants, there is no reason to compete with one another for honors and recognition. In God's Kingdom, the highest calling is servanthood; rank and authority are of little value. Besides, service keeps us aware of others' needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves.

³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. ³⁵ In every nation He accepts those who fear (respect, honor) Him and do what is right. ³⁶ This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching His message of baptism. ³⁸ And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. . . . ⁴³ He is the One all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him (Jesus) will have their sins forgiven through His Name.” Acts 10:34-38, 43 (NLT)

References

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 1988).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).