Jesus’ Followers Compete for Honor
Welcome to Day 281 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we see what happened when people met Jesus. The main truth for today is this: Jesus responds to his followers' desire for rank by teaching them to serve others. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 1 of 5
See what happened when people met Jesus.
Lumapit kay Hesus sina Santiago at Juan na mga anak ni Zebedeo at nagsabi, “Guro, may hihilingin po sana kami sa inyo.” “Ano ang kahilingan ninyo?” tanong ni Hesus. Sumagot sila, “Sana po, kapag naghahari na kayo ay paupuin nʼyo kami sa inyong tabi; isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Hindi ninyo alam kung ano ang hinihingi ninyo. Kaya ba ninyong inumin ang nasa kopang iinuman ko? Makakaya ba ninyong mabautismuhan sa bautismong daranasin ko?” Sumagot sila, “Opo, kaya namin.” Sinabi ni Hesus, “Iinom nga kayo sa kopang iinuman ko, at babautismuhan kayo sa bautismong tatanggapin ko. Ngunit hindi ako ang pumipili kung sino ang uupo sa kanan o kaliwa ko. Ang mga itoʼy para sa mga taong pinaglaanan nito.” Nang malaman ng sampung alagad kung ano ang hiningi nina Santiago at Juan, nagalit sila sa kanila. Kaya tinawag silang lahat ni Hesus at sinabi, “Alam nʼyo na ang mga itinuturing na pinuno ng mga bansa ay may kapangyarihan sa mga taong nasasakupan nila, at kahit ano ang gustuhin nila ay nasusunod. Ngunit hindi dapat ganyan ang umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na gustong maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. At ang sinuman sa inyo na gustong maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ng lahat. Sapagkat kahit ang Anak ng Tao ay naparito sa mundo, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at ialay ang kanyang buhay upang tubusin ang maraming tao!”
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Watch: Why Jesus Says Greatness Starts with Serving Others
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Yesterday we talked about divided loyalty — the struggle of trying to trust two different things at the same time. Today, a new story unfolds on the road as Jesus leads the way toward Jerusalem, Jesus challenges His followers to completely change the way they define success.
The Request on the Road
James and John step forward from the group to talk to Jesus privately. With Jerusalem in sight and His death drawing near, they ask for the highest positions of honor: the seats at His right and His left in His kingdom. Even after traveling with Him for so long, they still view success the way human rulers do—focusing on high social status, pride, and political power.
The Cup and the Baptism
Jesus stops and looks directly at them. He asks if they are able to go through the same severe suffering and hardships that He is about to face. Without hesitating, the two brothers declare, “We can.” Jesus confirms that they will indeed suffer as He will. However, He makes it clear that these honors are not given out through favoritism. He shows them how completely they have misunderstood the path they are walking.
Anger Among the Disciples
When the other ten disciples hear about this conversation, they become very angry. The group splits, not because the other ten understand humility, but because they are upset that two of them tried to get the best positions first. This competition for rank and importance threatens to divide the whole group.
Jesus Redefines Greatness
Jesus steps into the argument and calls all twelve disciples together. He points out how worldly rulers control people by force and show off their authority. Then, He gives them a completely opposite rule: “It must not be that way among you.” Whoever wants to be great must become a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a helper to everyone.
The Ultimate Example
Jesus shows that He lives by this same standard: He did not come to be served, but to serve others, and to give His life to rescue many people. The disciples started the day competing for power; they leave realizing that the only way to be great in God’s kingdom is to follow their King in serving others.
Tomorrow, we will look closely at the exact words Jesus uses to redefine greatness and authority.
Consider this.
What does this encounter reveal about Jesus?
Notice the encounter
Read Mark 10:35–45 and notice how Jesus redefines greatness around service.
