Wednesday, October 13

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “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.”                                                 Mark 10:41-45

My boys used to have a little competition that could be called, “shotgun.” Whenever I would need to drive more than one of them somewhere – and as we headed to the car – one would call out “Shotgun!” For the uninitiated – “shotgun” refers to the front passenger seat in a car – as in “riding shotgun.” I’m sure this must come out of the “Wild-wild west days” – but I’m not really sure. But the unwritten rule is whoever calls “shotgun” first gets to sit in the front passenger seat – meaning he gets more leg room PLUS the power to control the radio.  The one who rides “shotgun” has the position of both privilege and power!

In a sense, James and John are calling “shotgun” with Jesus. They are assuming that if there is going to be a kingdom and Jesus is the king – then they have a good shot at getting the best seats in the house! Notice that the ten other disciples were “indignant” when they heard what James and John had asked of Jesus. I think they were upset NOT because these two guys were not serving Jesus the way they should but because THEY had called “shotgun” – THEY were tying to get the places of honor and privilege when they ALL wanted those for themselves!

We live in a culture that teaches us not only to be consumers – but to be “upwardly mobile.” That is, we are encouraged to climb as high as we can on the social ladder of success – in education, profession, salary, and material possessions. While some degree of personal ambition is good - Jesus is teaching his disciples – and us - us that greatness is not found in position, power, or prestige, but in servanthood. Jesus is turning greatness upside-down. He is encouraging us to be willing to intentionally climb DOWN the ladder of servanthood and into true discipleship.

Ask God to make you more and more aware of the pull of “success” on your heart – and more and more available to his call into service.

Brian Coffey