WHEN James and John asked that they might have the highest place in the kingdom with Jesus, the other ten disciples were “much displeased.” They all had wrong thoughts about greatness. Their thoughts were merely human thoughts such as men of the world possess. They did not get them from God. And so Jesus had to instruct them, and teach them the thoughts of God.
Jesus told them that among the Gentiles their great ones exercised authority over the others. This was according to the thoughts of the world; but He told them it was not to be so among the disciples. If any one of them desired to be great, he should be a servant to the others, and if anyone wanted to be chiefest, or greatest, he should be the servant of all. And Jesus gives Himself as an example. He did not seek to be great by taking a place above the others, but He was great, and showed His greatness by taking the place of a servant.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Blessed Saviour! He did not come into this world to have people serve Him, but He came to serve them, and even to give His life. This was the service of love. Poor sinners were in terrible need, and Jesus in the greatness of His love came to meet their need. And this He has fully done, but He did this by stooping down to serve, and this is true greatness.
Someone has said: “Love is great, and serves: selfishness is little, and likes to be served;” and this is, true. Well, we do not like to see selfishness in others. The ten disciples did not like to see it in the sons of Zebedee. Would we like to have others see it in us? Is it not very much better to be like Christ, in whom there was no selfishness, but who was full of love?
First believe in Jesus for the salvation of your soul, and then imitate His greatness by serving others in love.
ML 04/27/1902