Wanting to be Great

I was in a conversation yesterday about how I don't really think that I have a strong desire to climb a ladder--for advancement in a business. Then I read these words, and I am convicted. The truth is, I want to be great. I probably too often think with the voice of these sons of thunder.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."

"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"

"We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, "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." -Mark 10:35-45

I think I've grasped at the picture of Jesus service many times in my life. I relish the picture of washing the feet of the disciples, and I have almost found a way to create an honored humility.

Jesus does not teach an honored humility. Drinking his cup, getting on your knees and putting your hands and face on some dirty feet are not honored humility. Perhaps I've gotten used to the the praise that accompanies the widow's great offering or the blessing Jesus poured on Mary after she poured perfume on his feet she wiped them with her hair.

Is it possible that in order to understand true service we have to separate these action from their praise? Jesus doesn't march out with his head high as brings the foot-bowl to the table. I picture silent, unlauded surprise at his humility. As we ponder the Lenten story we do not confuse the Palm Sunday honor with the Good Friday walk. Jesus did not claim greatness even when his actions were the most great.

I cannot act to receive a reward. We live in a culture where most people work somewhere where they provide a service and are paid for that service. We are used to people who serve well being paid or honored for their service.

Perhaps this is why our heroes are so often masked. They show us how to put their life on the line without wanting anything for themselves. They obey a code of honor and receive no personal honor for it. How fun would it be to hide in the shadows and serve in an unknown capacity? I pray that we all answer enthusiastically that this is what we desire. It is possible that we do not always. Lord forgive our selfish need for gain.