God of wisdom, we turn to the scripture for insight and understanding. Send your Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive the challenge and the comfort you offer through your Word. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:32-45
This morning, we find ourselves walking with Jesus and his disciples on the road to Jerusalem. It’s not just any journey—it’s the road that will lead to the cross. The Apostle Mark tells us that the disciples were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And isn’t that often how we feel when the road ahead of us is marked with uncertainty, hardship, or loss? We admire the courage of Jesus, yet part of us hesitates, knowing that following him may lead us down that same costly road.
Yet on this road, Jesus teaches us something essential about discipleship—not about power, privilege, or position, but about humility, service, and love. And so today, as we listen again to this moment on the road to the cross, we’re invited to ask ourselves: What does true greatness look like in the kingdom of God?
Our reading from the Gospel of Mark this morning opened with these words, “They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.” Three times Jesus had told his disciples and his closest followers that he must go to Jerusalem and face persecution and death at the hands of the religious leaders who were there. He had warned them, “‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’” (Luke 9:22) But even now, Mark tells us that his disciples were amazed, and his other close followers were afraid.
The disciples truly were amazed. Jesus knew what lay ahead of him, and yet, as the prophet Isaiah had predicted, he set his face like flint toward Jerusalem. He wouldn’t turn aside or be deterred. The path before him was marked with suffering, and he knew it. The disciples sensed it. Even the crowd felt it. Still, he pressed on—unyielding, immovable, unwavering in his purpose. With a determination that could only come from the Father, he walked into danger, not away from it, so that the mission might be fulfilled.
There are certain moments in life when we know what lies ahead—and it isn’t easy. A difficult surgery is scheduled, and the date draws closer. A hard conversation waits for us, and we rehearse the words in our minds. A loss is looming on the horizon, and we can already feel the ache in our hearts before it even arrives. The weight of such moments presses on us long before we reach them.
But here is the encouragement for us: when those heavy moments come in our own lives, we are not walking into them alone. The One who walked that road before us now walks with us. His resolve becomes our strength. His courage becomes our example. His presence becomes our comfort. We may not be able to avoid the valley, but like Jesus, we can move forward with faith, trusting that God is with us and that beyond the suffering there is resurrection hope.
Jesus, in his deep compassion, once again takes the time to prepare his disciples for what lies ahead. He does not shield them from the truth, nor does he allow them to remain in ignorance. With tender honesty, he tells them plainly: “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death; then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles; they will mock Him, and spit upon Him, and flog Him, and kill Him.” Yet, in the midst of this dire warning, are these three words of hope, “he will rise again.”
And for every disciple—then and now—these words remind us that however dark the road ahead may seem, hope is never absent, because Christ himself is our living hope. On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus shows us the cost of discipleship, but also the depth of God’s love. He goes willingly to the cross, so that we might know life.
Despite knowing what lies ahead for Jesus, and the uncertainty of what will happen to them once he is no longer there to lead them, the disciples seem to be more concerned with their own welfare. First, we have James and John say to Jesus, “‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’” And when he asks them what that would be, they reply, “‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’”
In looking at the demand of James and John to be seated next to Jesus in the Kingdom it’s important to remember that they are common men, simple fishermen, who have been chosen by Jesus to be part of his twelve closest followers. So, the notion that they could be elevated for the first time in their lives to such a position of power is a very appealing thing to them. This is their chance to be someone important.
Now, when properly used, ambition can be a powerful motivator. It drives athletes to train harder, students to study longer, workers to pursue promotions. But ambition can also lead us astray—especially when it is focused on power, prestige, or position. James and John do reveal their faith in Jesus, they believe Jesus is about to establish God’s kingdom in glory. But their faith becomes misdirected, they want to secure the best seats in the house—positions of honour and authority. In one sense, their request shows confidence. They believe Jesus will reign. But it also reveals self-interest. They are thinking about privilege, not service.
How often do we approach God the same way? Our prayers can sometimes sound like a wish list— “Lord, do this for me… make me successful… give me recognition.” Like James and John, we can confuse following Jesus with securing comfort or influence. The road of Christ leads through humility, service, and sometimes suffering. But it is also the road that leads to life, for beyond the cross is resurrection.
Finally, Jesus tells them, “To sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” The glory of God’s kingdom is not about ambition, networking, or claiming privilege. Positions of honour are determined by God’s wisdom, not by our requests. In other words, it’s not about what we can get, but about what God gives. So, the question for us is not, “Can I secure the best seat?” but rather, “Am I willing to follow Jesus—wherever he leads?”
But the spirit of self-interest didn’t stop with James and John. Mark tells us, “When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.” Now, notice what’s happening here: two of the disciples are busy trying to secure the best seats for themselves, and the other ten are indignant. But let’s be honest—their anger isn’t because the request was selfish; it’s because James and John got there first. They were upset, not over the pride in the request, but over the fact that they hadn’t thought to ask first!
But listen to what Jesus says: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Notice Jesus doesn’t condemn the desire for greatness. Instead, he redirects it. If you want to be great, he says, then pour yourself out for others. If you want to be first, then put yourself last. This teaching runs against our instincts. We like recognition. We want comfort. We want to be noticed. But Jesus says true greatness is found in humility, service, and love.
Think of the people you most admire in life. Often, the truly great ones aren’t those who sought the spotlight, but those who quietly gave of themselves; being our parents, our mentors, our friends. That’s what greatness looks like in God’s kingdom.
True greatness isn’t about rank. It isn’t about privilege. It is about service. It is about self-giving love. Jesus came, not to be served, but to serve. And he calls us to follow him on that same path. So, the question for us today is simple: are we chasing status—or are we serving, humbly, faithfully, and sacrificially, reflecting the heart of our Lord?
Here is the heart of the Gospel. The one who had every right to be served—the eternal Son of God—chose instead to serve. He washed feet. He welcomed children. He healed the sick. And ultimately, he gave his life on the cross, paying the price for our redemption.
As we reflect on this passage, we are invited to examine our own hearts. Are we seeking to climb to the front of the line, or are we following Christ in the path of service? The kingdom of God calls us to set aside envy, comparison, and self-interest, and instead to take up the towel, to serve those around us, and in doing so, to reflect the very heart of our Lord.
Jesus’ words remain as radical today as they were on that dusty road to Jerusalem: “Whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” True greatness is not about thrones and crowns—it’s about towels and basins. It’s about the cross. It’s about love poured out for others.
So let us follow our Lord, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. And in serving, may we discover the true greatness of the kingdom of God.
Let us Pray:
Gracious and merciful God, we thank you for the example of your Son, who walked the road to Jerusalem with courage, and who showed us that true greatness is found in service.
Forgive us when our hearts chase after recognition or privilege and teach us instead to follow Christ’s example—to take up the towel, to serve with humility, and to give ourselves in love for others.
Strengthen us for the road ahead, whatever trials or challenges we may face, and remind us that we never walk alone. For Jesus goes before us, and by his resurrection we have hope.
In his Holy Name, we pray, Amen.