Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Mark 10:42-45.
This week’s devotionals are focusing on our commitment to Jesus Christ through our faithful participation in His church. Today’s verses remind us that the way of Jesus Christ is to find ways to serve, instead of being served.
Chapters 8-16 in Mark are given the heading, “The Son of Man Must Suffer” in many commentaries. From the beginning of Mark’s gospel where Jesus is calling his disciples, Jesus is continually teaching his disciples that his kingdom life is very different from the world’s ways. This is particularly true in the ways of how we treat others and our willingness to suffer along with others for Christ’s sake.
Jesus taught his followers the way of servanthood, saying that even he himself came to serve. These disciples do learn what it means to serve and to suffer for the sake of others. In fact, Acts 12:2 informs us that James was martyred in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa. And John will suffer martyrdom as well.
Dr. Pheme Perkins, in her commentary on Mark in the “The New Interpreter’s Bible” writes, “Jesus, the Son of Man, gave his life not for his own glory but as a ransom for many. Jesus’ self-offering on the cross offers salvation and a permanent ransom for all of humanity establishing the covenant between God and humankind which can never be broken.”
Personal Worship Option:
We receive God’s gift of salvation through Christ in order to live lives of faithful service unto God and others. Are there ways you can serve others today?
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