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, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave 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."
On their way to Jerusalem, James and John make an ignorant request to Jesus, asking for the positions of highest honor in Jesus’ kingdom. After hearing of their special request, the ten were angry at James and John (41). They weren't angry at their insensitivity towards Jesus or their misplaced desire for honor. They were angry to have been undercut for the positions they also craved. So Jesus gave them yet another lesson on servanthood. This was his constant teaching for these men. He did not mind their desire to be great or first–he was happy they wanted to excel (43, 44). But they hadn't the first clue on how to get there in Jesus' kingdom. They needed to become servants and slaves of all (43, 44). He had taught them about servanthood before, and he would teach them again. Even during the last supper, he took the household servant's position and washed the feet of his disciples.
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14–15, ESV)
Jesus Served
The big example of service they needed to follow was Jesus. Even the Son of Man –the Messiah himself–came not to be served (45). He came, he stepped out of eternity, the glory of heaven, and did not expect to be served. He came to serve. And his service was to give his life (45). He knew we needed his death so we might live. He gladly gave his life. And he served humanity by giving his life as a ransom for many (45). We usually reserve the word "ransom" for paying off a kidnapper or terrorist. But it means to pay the price. Jesus' life was the price to purchase us out of our slavery to sin. His death sets us free from ours. His life is our life.
We Must Serve
With all this in mind, it must be assumed that a hallmark of Christ-followers today is service. Jesus served by laying down his life. He told his disciples to be great by serving. So it is a mark of true Christianity when we serve today. We need to serve. Why? Because all too often we read books and collect preachers who tell us it's all about us, and their messages are designed to help "empower" us – all this comes from a culture drunk on power. But is that what Jesus came to teach? Instead, he promotes a power from above that embraces weakness and expresses itself in love. But how are we to serve? How are we to reject the patterns of power often found in the world? Jesus was conscious of how the "Gentiles" did things. How can we serve, Jesus-style? First, consider Jesus. He came as the slave and servant of all, but he did not attempt to do everything there was to be done. He left the earth with people unhealed and nations unreached. He had his role to play, and he would not be distracted from the mission the Father gave him. These disciples followed this pattern in the early days of the church, refusing to involve themselves in tasks that took them away from prayer and teaching (Acts 6). Like Jesus and these disciples, we must know who we are and what we're meant for on earth. Then, serve humanity by doing those things. Second, have a broad vision of service. We too often read passages like these and assume we must sign up for volunteering in the kids’ ministry at church. But we would be mistaken if we confined Jesus' commission to a life of service only to Sunday mornings or our church-life. Instead, you should see everything you do as an act of service to others. If you're a golf-professional, serve the people around you. If you're in finance, serve. If you're in education, serve. If you're in the military, serve our nation. And, by all means, in every relationship, take a posture of service. Third, serve in the kids’ ministry – or other church-related ministries. To lead a life group, to serve the next generation, or to help the congregation congregate is a joy. Serve.