Jesus Came to Serve

February 20, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 10:35 – 45
Lesson Passage: Mark 10:35 – 45

About two decades ago many large corporations came to the conclusion that the management pyramid which established hierarchy among the various ranks of management was perhaps a bigger problem than it was a solution to organizational management. For one thing, the pyramid with the point at the top and the broad base symbolically showed the masses at the bottom working to support the few “top dogs” at the top. Secondly, the ones at the bottom who appeared to work the hardest were rewarded the least and the few at the top who seemingly did not work as hard were receiving outrageous salaries and bonuses. The proposed solution was to simply turn the pyramid upside down. Now, the few were at the bottom and were accountable for supporting the masses that reported to them. Unfortunately, this new management hierarchy did not catch on in the corporate environment. Many of the top executives did not want to be servants but rather bosses. Some had done some very unethical things to “achieve” their “success” and they were not about to adopt some philosophy that placed them at the bottom again. Since most “for profit” companies are driven by the bottom line financial view and not ethics, then greed and other behaviors that sometimes motivate people to fight to make it to the top of the pyramid demanded the pyramid be returned to its familiar form of a broad bottom and a peak at the top. Sadly, much of this same attitude finds its way into the local church. There are many in our local churches that go out of their way to receive titles rather than achieve ministry results through serving others. This is not a new problem nor is it the offspring of the American corporate experience as evidenced by our text today. Jesus had just reminded his disciples of his impending crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. This was the third time this reminder had been given to them according to the gospel accounts. Instead of receiving what Jesus was saying and learning from him what it meant, two of his disciples, James and John, were scheming how to climb the pyramid and take their place right next to Jesus when he returned to his glory. They seemed unwilling to wait for the possibility to be chosen for this honor later. Instead, they outlined to Jesus precisely what they wanted. As I reflect on this scene, it is refreshing to know that an omniscient Lord had hand picked these men to be his disciples and yet it seems that he was often busy keeping them on task as his followers and students. I say it is refreshing because I think about God’s selection of me for eternal salvation and yet how often I have to be reminded to stay on task through the process of sanctification. It is also encouraging to know that Jesus knew all along what to expect and he patiently worked with them even as he works with us today guiding us to spiritual maturity. This lesson can also serve as a reminder that when we have to choose Christians to serve in some capacity of ministry, we should not expect them to be any more perfect or spiritually mature than we are. They too will sometimes use the wrong model to pattern themselves after. Jesus turned the pyramid upside down and placed himself at the bottom as the ultimate example of a servant to all. Then he warned his disciples to beware of using worldly examples to provide service to others as ambassadors of his. Jesus came to serve and that is the model he gave his disciples to follow.

Robert C. Hudson
February 11, 2011