Mark 10: Theyrrrre Grrrreat

In Mark 10, James and John come to Jesus with a request.  They tell Jesus that they wish to sit on Jesus' right and left in His glory.  They make no specific request about which of them would sit where so I assume that they would leave that detail up to Jesus to decide.  Whoever sat where, the request was really a simple one.  James and John wanted to be great.  They wanted to be more important than everyone save Jesus Himself.

The other disciples are not pleased with this request.  But it is important to note that their consternation does not arise out of a sense of morality.  They aren't upset with James and John because of the stunning lack of humility on their part.  No, the other disciples are upset because James and John beat them to the punch.  Like the two brothers, the rest of the disciples also wanted to be great. 

If I were Jesus, I would tell the disciples to knock off all of this greatness stuff.  I would tell them to be humble and to not worry about seeking greatness.  But that is not what Jesus does.  Jesus does not criticize the disciples' desire for greatness here.  Instead, He rebukes the disciples for the way they are seeking greatness.  The disciples are seeking greatness through throne and sceptre.  They think that power is the key to greatness.  But Jesus says that there is another way.  In verses 42-45, Jesus says: "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus says the key to greatness in God's kingdom is not thrones or sceptres.  Instead the key to greatness in God's kingdom is service.  The great one doesn't sit on a throne having others meet his or her needs.  The great one is on their knees before others, serving sacrificially.  Greatness in the church is not found in office.  It is found in sacrifice and service.

Jesus of course is the best example of this.  How did Jesus lead His disciples and His Church?  He led by service.  He led by ultimate sacrifice.  And we are called to do the same.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a great Christian, a great person in the Kingdom of God.  There is something wrong with seeking that greatness in the wrong way.