Have you ever wanted to be known for your personal achievements and get credit for it? In the sports world, many players are all about their own personal stats rather than caring about the team. They are all about making sure they are great and that they have the biggest contract. They would rather care more about themselves than the team's record. What we are witnessing with the Detroit Lions is something special. As a diehard Lions fan, I am loving every second of the Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes era. They have created a culture in which the players and coaches care solely about the team and not themselves. They care more about the people beside them and the overall goal of winning as a team. Players are putting aside their personal stats for the greater of the team. You see this in all the post-game interviews and sound bites that we get to see. It is truly special to watch, and it is something that is inspiring that you do not see too often in the sports world.
In Mark 10, we see an interesting conversation between James, John, and Jesus. Many Jews had the wrong idea about what the Messiah would come to do. Many thought the Messiah would come to free Israel from oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. James and John came to Jesus and wanted an honored place in the kingdom. They were faithful disciples of Jesus and wanted a high place when it was all said and done. Maybe they thought that they deserved it for what they had given up and done for Jesus. It is natural in a way to think the way they were thinking. They wanted recognition for what they had done and would do. They thought that if they asked for it, Jesus would give it to them. Like many other times, the disciples had misunderstood what Jesus truly meant by asking for something and that he would give it to us.
James and John were looking for high positions in Jesus's kingdom. Like many other times, Jesus had to take a moment and teach his disciples a great truth while calling them out. Jesus went on to say that we should not want to be like the rulers who were above us and exercising their authority greatly. Instead, we are to be the opposite. If anyone wants to become great, they should become a servant to all. They must be willing to humble themselves and put themselves below everyone else. Jesus shows us the greatest example of this through his life. Jesus, God in the flesh, willingly left his throne to go to the cross for all mankind. He chose to become a servant and slave to all people. His life here on earth was not about being worshipped like a king and claiming the kingdom in a way that many would think. Instead, the Son of Man gave his own life as a sacrifice for all people to have a way to salvation. This is the viewpoint that we should have in our lives. This is the model of Jesus that we are to follow in every walk of our lives. We must look to be a servant to all. Instead of being great ourselves, we need to point to the one who is truly great, and that is Jesus alone. Let all the glory go to him alone!
In Mark 10, we see an interesting conversation between James, John, and Jesus. Many Jews had the wrong idea about what the Messiah would come to do. Many thought the Messiah would come to free Israel from oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. James and John came to Jesus and wanted an honored place in the kingdom. They were faithful disciples of Jesus and wanted a high place when it was all said and done. Maybe they thought that they deserved it for what they had given up and done for Jesus. It is natural in a way to think the way they were thinking. They wanted recognition for what they had done and would do. They thought that if they asked for it, Jesus would give it to them. Like many other times, the disciples had misunderstood what Jesus truly meant by asking for something and that he would give it to us.
James and John were looking for high positions in Jesus's kingdom. Like many other times, Jesus had to take a moment and teach his disciples a great truth while calling them out. Jesus went on to say that we should not want to be like the rulers who were above us and exercising their authority greatly. Instead, we are to be the opposite. If anyone wants to become great, they should become a servant to all. They must be willing to humble themselves and put themselves below everyone else. Jesus shows us the greatest example of this through his life. Jesus, God in the flesh, willingly left his throne to go to the cross for all mankind. He chose to become a servant and slave to all people. His life here on earth was not about being worshipped like a king and claiming the kingdom in a way that many would think. Instead, the Son of Man gave his own life as a sacrifice for all people to have a way to salvation. This is the viewpoint that we should have in our lives. This is the model of Jesus that we are to follow in every walk of our lives. We must look to be a servant to all. Instead of being great ourselves, we need to point to the one who is truly great, and that is Jesus alone. Let all the glory go to him alone!