We’re Still Learning
“So Jesus called the disciples and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45
The disciples had expected great things from Jesus when he ushered in God’s glorious new reign on earth. But their lofty expectations were dashed when he ended up hanging dead on a Roman cross.
It was only after the resurrection that they begin to understand what he had been trying to tell them and teach them all along. They remembered the things he said, such as “those who want to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for my sake will save it.”
And they remembered the things he did: how he washed their feet, how he healed the sick, how he cleansed the lepers, how he embraced the outcasts, how he fed the hungry.
Above all he taught them a completely new understanding of authority, and a new kind of power, the authority of a servant and a power made perfect in weakness.
They were not to lead as the Gentile rulers did, as tyrants and bullies who lorded their power over their subjects. No, they were to exercise their authority through servant leadership, with authority that is humble and aims to serve others. Jesus was teaching them that you can’t love down.
He was teaching them, and the generations that would follow, how to be the church. We’re still learning.
Prayer>br/>
Holy One, teach us to serve as Jesus served, to love as Jesus loved. Amen.
About the AuthorRichard L. Floyd is Pastor Emeritus of First Church of Christ (UCC) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A writer and author, his most recent publications are Romans, Parts 1 and 2 (with Michael S. Bennett), new titles in the “Listen Up!” Bible Study Series. He blogs at richardlfloyd.com.