Jesus tells His disciples He is going to be killed.
James and John ask Him for the best seats.
In Mark 10:32–37, Jesus vividly describes what awaits Him in Jerusalem: mockery, spitting, flogging, death. And after, His resurrection.
The brothers immediately ask to sit at His right and left in glory.
Two of His most devoted followers. They don't question Him on what it means.
Instead they ask for elevated status. To sit in places of honor in Heaven.
That's surprisingly common in the Christian walk. We follow Jesus, but spend our whole journey trying to get ahead of everyone else.
We ask God for a chance to serve. We do the work. Someone else gets the credit, and we feel robbed.
The work got done. People helped. So why can it feel like a loss?
Because we wanted a seat of honor, too.
Jesus answers James and John by speaking of serving and suffering. Whoever wants to be first must become the servant of everyone else.
Do we see that as success in today's game of status and power?
Jesus spent His days in prayer, healing and ministry. Serving all who came to Him. Then He suffered betrayal, torture and death.
He commands us to serve in the same way. Not for our own glory. But to be a reflection of His grace.
Next time we're disappointed when someone else steals our credit. Consider that.
Is our pride standing in the way of our service to Him?