June 7, 2016

"SERVE OR BE SERVED?" THAT IS THE QUESTION. WHO WILL YOU LISTEN TO?

Mark 10:32–45

Elizabeth Tamlyn
Tuesday's Devo

June 7, 2016

Tuesday's Devo

June 7, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus tells us that He came to serve and not be served. Serving others is the GREATEST way to show love for others and Christ. "How may I serve you" is not just a friendly saying from our favorite fast-food chicken sandwich spot. Let's adopt it as our life theme!

Key Verse | Mark 10:45

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Mark 10:32–45

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

The Request of James and John

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 1 10:43 Greek diakonos 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave 2 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Footnotes

[1] 10:43 Greek diakonos
[2] 10:44 Or bondservant, or servant (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)

Dive Deeper | Mark 10:32–45

We all know when you say "thank you" at Chick-fil-A, the server responds, "My pleasure." So here's my question for you today: Is it really your pleasure to serve others? 

Many times for me it is not. If I am honest, I must admit that I love to BE served. I love a valet for my car, waiters for my food, customer service at stores, and bellhops for my luggage. I love them all, bring it on! Somehow being served makes me think that I am significant in this world. God calls us to more, and it is contrary to our flesh. 

I must intentionally remind myself that my mind and body are in a battle between selfishness and selflessness. Jesus shares the famous words for all to live by, and the synopsis of the entire book of Mark, that "even the Son of Man came TO serve and not to BE served." Jesus demonstrated by the way He lived and loved others that the earthly mission for all of His followers is not to be self-seeking, selfish, or self-centered, but to consider others as more important than themselves, being willing to love others by serving them. Submitting to one another is a lifetime theme for each of us to adopt. 

Jesus is very clear in His words to us that we, too, are to serve others as a demonstration of our love for God. God’s economy is not the same as ours—our world worships being served as a sign of success and status. God calls us to serve, and His measuring stick for success is very different from the world's. Whose thinking and standard will you trust? "How may I serve you?" is not just a phrase for Chick-fil-A employees. Serving others is a lifestyle that follows and honors Christ!

Discussion Questions

1. When you read Mark 10:45, what is your initial reaction about serving versus being served? 

2. Do you believe it is really possible to selflessly serve others and forego being served?

3. What steps can you take at home and at work to serve rather than be served?