In the book of Mark in chapter 10 verse 37, James and John ask Jesus a bold question. The disciples ask to be seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in Heaven. This request comes not so they can have an opportunity to know Christ more; they want the power and recognition that comes with sitting next to the king. Jesus explains to them that the places next to Him are not for Him to grant. He then addresses the real issue at stake which is the condition of the hearts of the disciples. Jesus says, "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."
In that passage Jesus addresses the disciples understanding of what it means to be great in God's kingdom. Those who are great are not the ones who position themselves the best, or those who make the right friends or the right grades. Those who are great in Heaven are those who humble themselves in this life and serve everyone around them.
As we are surrounded by a culture of entitlement, pride, and isolation, I believe we as Christians are forgetting the call of Jesus. Instead of hurrying into our homes after work so the neighbors won't bother us, we need to hurry to reach out and serve those in need. If the Son of God, the one with the greatest right to be served, can humble himself even unto death for us, how much more should we be willing to humble ourselves and serve our neighbors?
"...And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
