Jesus’ Followers Compete for Honor
Welcome to Day 281 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we see what happened when people met Jesus. The main truth for today is this: Jesus responds to his followers' desire for rank by teaching them to serve others. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 1 of 5
Mona oyo esalemaki ntango bato bakutanaki na Yesu.
Bongo Jake mpe Yoane, bana mibali ya Zebede, bapusanaki pene ya Yesu mpe balobaki na Ye : — Moteyi, tolingi ete osalela biso likambo oyo tokosenga Yo. Yesu atunaki bango : — Bolingi ete nasalela bino nini ? Bazongisaki : — Pesa biso nzela ya kovanda kati na nkembo na Yo : moko na ngambo ya loboko na Yo ya mobali, mpe mosusu, na ngambo ya loboko na Yo ya mwasi. Yesu alobaki na bango : — Bozali kososola te makambo oyo bozali kosenga ! Boni, bokoki komela kopo oyo Ngai nakomela to kozwa libatisi oyo Ngai nakozwa ? Bazongisaki : — Iyo, tokoki ! Yesu alobaki na bango : — Solo, bokomela na bino kopo oyo Ngai nakomela mpe bokozwa na bino libatisi oyo Ngai nakozwa ; kasi likambo ya kovanda na ngambo ya loboko na Ngai ya mobali to na ngambo ya loboko na Ngai ya mwasi, Ngai nakoki te kopesela yango ndingisa ; bisika wana ezali ya bato oyo Tata na Ngai abongisela bango yango. Tango bayekoli mosusu zomi bayokaki makambo wana, basilikelaki Jake mpe Yoane. Yesu abengaki bango nyonso mpe alobaki na bango : — Boyebi malamu ete bato oyo bamonanaka lokola bakonzi bakonzaka bikolo oyo ezali na se ya bokonzi na bango, mpe bakalaka ya lokumu bakonzaka bato oyo bazali na se ya bokonzi na bango. Esengeli te kozala bongo kati na bino ; nzokande, tika ete moto nyonso oyo alingi kozala moto monene kati na bino azala mosali na bino ; mpe tika ete moto nyonso oyo alingi kozala moto ya liboso kati na bino azala mowumbu ya bino nyonso ! Pamba te Mwana na Moto ayaki te mpo ete basalela Ye, kasi ayaki nde kosala mpo na bato mpe kopesa bomoi na Ye lokola motuya ya kofuta mpo na kosikola bato ebele.
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Watch: Why Jesus Says Greatness Starts with Serving Others
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Yesterday we talked about divided loyalty — the struggle of trying to trust two different things at the same time. Today, a new story unfolds on the road as Jesus leads the way toward Jerusalem, Jesus challenges His followers to completely change the way they define success.
The Request on the Road
James and John step forward from the group to talk to Jesus privately. With Jerusalem in sight and His death drawing near, they ask for the highest positions of honor: the seats at His right and His left in His kingdom. Even after traveling with Him for so long, they still view success the way human rulers do—focusing on high social status, pride, and political power.
The Cup and the Baptism
Jesus stops and looks directly at them. He asks if they are able to go through the same severe suffering and hardships that He is about to face. Without hesitating, the two brothers declare, “We can.” Jesus confirms that they will indeed suffer as He will. However, He makes it clear that these honors are not given out through favoritism. He shows them how completely they have misunderstood the path they are walking.
Anger Among the Disciples
When the other ten disciples hear about this conversation, they become very angry. The group splits, not because the other ten understand humility, but because they are upset that two of them tried to get the best positions first. This competition for rank and importance threatens to divide the whole group.
Jesus Redefines Greatness
Jesus steps into the argument and calls all twelve disciples together. He points out how worldly rulers control people by force and show off their authority. Then, He gives them a completely opposite rule: “It must not be that way among you.” Whoever wants to be great must become a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a helper to everyone.
The Ultimate Example
Jesus shows that He lives by this same standard: He did not come to be served, but to serve others, and to give His life to rescue many people. The disciples started the day competing for power; they leave realizing that the only way to be great in God’s kingdom is to follow their King in serving others.
Tomorrow, we will look closely at the exact words Jesus uses to redefine greatness and authority.
Kanisa na likambo oyo.
What does this encounter reveal about Jesus?
Notice the encounter
Read Mark 10:35–45 and notice how Jesus redefines greatness around service.
