Not to Be Served, but to Serve — sacred illustration
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Comfort & Not Alone

Not to Be Served, but to Serve

Mark 10:43-45

Mark 10:43-45 is Jesus teaching His disciples what greatness looks like. He said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the 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.”

Lord Jesus, You did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give Your life as a ransom for many. When I want to be first, turn my heart. Teach me to serve the people around me today. Amen.

Mark 10:43-45 is Jesus teaching His disciples what greatness looks like. He said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the 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.”

The Scripture

“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. 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 10:43-45

Prayer points from Mark 10:43-45

  1. Do one quiet act of service for someone near you today.
  2. Confess where you have wanted to be first.
  3. Thank Jesus that He came to serve and gave His life as a ransom for many.
  4. Ask Him to show you who around you needs help.
  5. Pray for the leaders in your life to lead by serving.
  6. Ask Him to make your heart glad to serve without being seen.

About this verse

Earlier in Mark 10, on the road up to Jerusalem, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come to Jesus and ask Him to grant that one of them may sit at His right hand and the other at His left in His glory. When the other ten hear about it, they become indignant with James and John. So Jesus calls them all together. He reminds them that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their people, and that their superiors exercise authority over them. Then He tells them it shall not be this way among them. Whoever wants to become great must be a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. He points to Himself: the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. It is a prayer for anyone who notices the wish to be first in their own heart, and wants Jesus to teach them to serve.

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