Not so with you!!!

Reflecting on Mark 10:35-45

"Not so with you." (Mark 10:43)

We have been reflecting on the radical message and method of Jesus.
The Jesus Way is NOT like the human way, the way of our fallen world.
Adam and Eve (humanity) were put in charge of God’s world – the kingdom of God.
They were designed to live, to lead and to love like God.
They were given power and authority to care and to serve, not to dominate.
Satan succeeded in seducing them to the dark side, to serving themselves.
Every since our world has been led by self-serving, other-controlling leaders.
This is what is wrong with our world.
This is why there are people with power, and others without.
This is why some have much, and others have little.
This is why there is so much misery in the world.
We are not living, leading and loving like God.

The disciples are arguing about positions in glory.
They are thinking like worldly rulers, how worldly leaders lead.
Even if they think they would use their power for good, they are worldly.
For it is NOT in asserting control that we lead, but by giving it up.

“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 10:43-45)

Jesus shows us God’s way of overcoming evil and restoring good.
By overcoming evil with good (love, mercy, patience, kindness, etc.).
This is the radical gospel, how God in Jesus saves us.
This is the call of the gospel, to give our lives for others too.
Jesus took up His cross for us, and He asks us to do the same for others.

Our job is not to take over the government to make our nation great.
Our job is not to impose law and order on all those who don’t agree with us.
Our job is not to enforce the 10 Commandments.
Our job is not to seek revenge, or put sinners in their place.
Our job is not to control others – the fruit of the Spirit is self-control.
Our job is not to argue with people, to make them believe.
Our job is not to scare people with hell, to make them repent.
The world follows all these top-down forceful ways of leading the world.
“Not so with you.” (Mark 10:43)

God is the one that will change hearts, and He does it through mercy.
Jesus sends us into the world to lead from our knees.
Jesus calls us to put the needs of others before our own.
Jesus assures us that our labour of love is not in vain.
His resurrection assures us that love wins, kindness overcomes.

In my experience, christians are often confused about this.
Like James and John, they seem to be seeking position and power.
Even if their motives are good, their methods are not.
We do not make our nation great by imitating worldly powers.
Christian nationalism is Satan’s way, pretending to be the Jesus Way.

Jesus is not calling to me grumble and complain or criticize other christians.
Jesus is not seeing me as better than other christians.
Jesus is challenging me to follow Him, whatever other christians may be doing.

Today’s reading is challenging me; am I prepared to be a slave like this?
Am I seeking to control others, to get them to think and act like me?
Am I leading on my knees, or expecting others to bend the knee for me?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, too often I am critical of others, when I myself am not following in Your humble, gracious way. Thank You for callenging me today to follow in Your Way, Your self-giving, other-serving love.