Verse of the Day 8/25

Through the Bible - Psalms 126-129, 1 Corinthians 8

Good morning,
In this political season for several weeks people have been wondering who would be picked as VP for both parties.
For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 20 where some of the disciples hoped to be VP, or at least sit at Christ's right hand as He established His kingdom.
Jesus had just finished telling them how he must suffer and die in establishing this kingdom. It must have gone right over their heads. They had no idea what the requirements were of the office which they
desired to hold.
The mother of James and John even approached Jesus and campaigned for one of them to sit beside Jesus.
Jesus' response should be taken to heart for anyone seeking a position which requires service.
Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. NKJV
Tom Ascol comments, "He doesn't condemn the aspiration to be great. He directs it along the right path. The lesson is very simple, yet incredibly hard. If you want to be regarded as great in God's kingdom, then make it your agenda to give yourself in service to others. If you want to attain the highest rank, then start thinking of yourself as a slave to your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Greatness in God's kindom will not be achieved by using your authority, nor by being content merely to care only for your own needs. Rather it will be developed by intentionally meeting the needs of other people. The point is this:if you want to be great in the kingdom of God, then you must serve others."
It's not about recognition, standing in front of great crowds where others have stood before. It is about serving in the model of the One who has gone before.
As the conventions come as church nominations come, the attitude of a servants heart is what we should be looking for.
When you look back at those who have served in such a way may we look for those who desire to serve, willing to give all.
Read the passage below. How does it speak to you today?
In Christ,
Mike

Matt 20:20-29

Greatness Is Serving
(Mark 10:35-45)

20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?"

She said to Him, "Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom."

22 But Jesus answered and said, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"
They said to Him, "We are able."

23 So He said to them, "You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father."

24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."