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Imagine ranking these people from most great to least great: Prime Minister, famous influencer, sports star, company boss, school captain, nurse, cleaner, someone who cares for a sick parent, a volunteer at a food bank. How did you decide? Money? Fame? Power? Who ended up at the bottom?
Keep your ladder in mind. All term we've been reading Mark's Gospel and asking "Who is this?" Today Jesus answers in one of the most famous sentences in the whole book, and he turns your greatness ladder upside down.
What you'll learn
- What James and John asked for, and how Jesus answered
- How Jesus turned the world's idea of greatness upside down
- What Jesus meant by giving his life as a "ransom"
The request
Jesus and his disciples are walking to Jerusalem. On the way, for the third time, Jesus tells them clearly what is going to happen there: he will be handed over, mocked, killed, and after three days rise again (Mark 10:32–34).
What do James and John ask for straight after hearing that?
"They answered, ‘Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.’" (Mark 10:37)
The seats on a king's right and left were for his most important people. James and John want the top jobs when Jesus is King. Jesus has just told them he is going to die, and they're thinking about who gets the best seats!
Jesus asks whether they can drink his cup and share his baptism. Both are pictures of the suffering he is about to go through. In the Old Testament, the "cup" is often a picture of God's judgment on sin. James and John say yes, without really understanding. Jesus tells them they will suffer for him (James was later killed for following Jesus, Acts 12:2), but the seats aren't his to hand out.
Upside-down greatness
When the other ten disciples hear about it, they're angry, probably not because James and John were wrong, but because they got in first! So Jesus calls them all together. He points out that the world's rulers love to boss people around. Then he says:
"But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all." (Mark 10:43–44)
| The world's greatness | Jesus' greatness |
|---|---|
| Being in charge of people | Serving people |
| Being first | Being a servant of all |
| Getting attention | Doing good, even if no one sees |
| Using others to get ahead | Putting others ahead of yourself |
Now go back to your ladder. If you used Jesus' measure, how would it change? The person caring for a sick parent might shoot to the top. And a Prime Minister or a boss can be great in Jesus' way too, if they use their power to serve.
(Serving doesn't mean letting people walk all over you. Jesus served by choice, out of love, and he stood up to what was wrong. If you're ever in an unsafe situation, always speak to a trusted adult.)
The servant King
Then Jesus explains why his kingdom works this way:
"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." (Mark 10:45)
| Phrase | What it means |
|---|---|
| The Son of Man | The King from Daniel 7 who is given all authority (remember Mark 2:10). |
| Not to be served | He had every right to be served, but didn't come for that. |
| To serve | He came to meet our deepest need. |
| A ransom | A price paid to set a captive or slave free. |
| For many | In the place of many people. |
The most powerful person who ever lived used his power to serve. And the greatest thing he did was to die in our place, to set us free. Hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah 53:11–12 had described God's servant carrying the sins of many. Jesus says: that's me.
Here's a twist. Turn to Mark 15:27. Who ended up on Jesus' right and on his left? Two criminals, on crosses. Jesus' glory came through the cross. James and John had no idea what they were asking for.
"Who is this?" clue
| Verse | Clue about who Jesus is |
|---|---|
| Mark 10:45 | The servant King who gives his life as a ransom. |
Key words
- Glory: greatness and honour, especially God's.
- Servant: someone who works for the good of others.
- Ransom: a price paid to set someone free.
- Son of Man: Jesus' favourite name for himself, from Daniel 7.
How this points to Jesus
Mark 10:45 sums up the whole Gospel of Mark in one sentence. Jesus is the King with all authority, yet he came to serve. His service goes all the way to dying for others, paying the price to set people free. Christians don't serve others to earn God's love. They serve because Jesus served them first.
Think about it
Why was James and John's request so out of place?Show answer
Jesus had just told them he was going to suffer and die, and they responded by asking for the most important seats in his kingdom. They were thinking about themselves, not about him.
What is a ransom, and how does it describe what Jesus did?Show answer
A ransom is a price paid to set someone free. Christians believe Jesus' death was the price that sets people free from sin.
Why is serving others so hard, even when we know it's right?Show answer
Most of us naturally want to be first, to be noticed and to get our own way. Serving means putting someone else first, often when nobody is watching.
Take it further
This week, try one hidden act of service at home or school, something no one will thank you for. Anyone can try this, whatever you believe. It's a good way to test Jesus' idea of greatness for yourself. Your worksheet helps you plan it.
If you'd like to, you could pray:
Jesus, thank you that you came not to be served but to serve, and that you gave your life to set us free. Help me to stop chasing the top spot and start serving others like you. Amen.