There Is Greatness in Serving: A Reflection on Mark 10:35-45

Today, we turn to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 35 to 45, to explore a powerful lesson about serving with a humble heart. If you have your Bible, I invite you to open it to Mark 10:35. The words will also be displayed on the screen, but let’s stand together in honor of reading God’s Word.

The Scripture Reading

The Word of God says: 

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 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.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:35-45, NKJV)

A Prayer of Gratitude

Father God, thank You for this day. We praise You that we live in a land where we are free to gather, worship, and do so safely. Lord, we pray that as we continue to worship today, You would work in our hearts. If there is someone here today in need of salvation, may they know how much You love them. May today be the day they surrender all to You, Jesus, making the best decision of their lives—to call on You, to be forgiven of their sins, and to be promised eternity in heaven. Thank You for this passage and for Your Word. As we reflect on how You came in humility to serve, even to the point of laying down Your life for us, help us grasp the depth of Your sacrifice. May it inspire us to live for You and serve You with all our hearts. Open our minds, hearts, and ears to receive Your Word and work in us for Your kingdom’s purposes. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Request of James and John

In this passage, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approach Jesus with a bold request: “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus, ever gracious, responds, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Their answer reveals their hearts: “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” They’re asking for positions of honor and prominence in Jesus’ kingdom.

Now, this wasn’t an evil request. James and John were faithful servants, part of Jesus’ inner circle alongside Peter. They loved and served God diligently. But their request reveals a focus on what they wanted rather than what Jesus wanted. They desired recognition, status, and glory for themselves. And haven’t we all, at times, been a little like James and John? When we serve, do we sometimes focus more on our own desires than on God’s will?

The Heart of True Service

Jesus’ response to James and John is profound. He challenges them: “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” He’s pointing to the suffering and sacrifice that come with true service. James and John confidently reply, “We are able,” not fully grasping the weight of their words. Jesus affirms that they will indeed share in His suffering, but the places of honor they seek are not His to give.

When the other disciples hear this, they’re upset with James and John—perhaps because they, too, wanted those positions of greatness. But Jesus gathers them all and redefines greatness: “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

This is the heart of the Gospel. Jesus, the King of kings, came not to be served but to serve, ultimately giving His life as a ransom for us. He endured unimaginable suffering—beaten, crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross, alternating between excruciating pain and suffocation. Yet we often hesitate to serve if it inconveniences us or requires sacrifice. How can we say, “I can’t sacrifice for the Lord,” when He gave everything for us?

Serving with the Right Heart

As believers, we’re called to serve, but our service must flow from a heart aligned with God’s will, not our own. Too often, we serve with mixed motives:

• Seeking recognition: We want to be noticed or praised for our efforts. But serving Jesus isn’t about being in the spotlight.
• Serving only where we’re comfortable: We might say, “I’ll serve, but only in roles I enjoy. I’m not mopping floors or teaching kids—that’s beneath me.” True service doesn’t pick and choose based on personal preference.
• Avoiding sacrifice: We might serve as long as it fits our schedule or doesn’t disrupt our Netflix binge or football game. But Jesus’ example shows that true service often requires sacrifice.

The Apostle Paul, under God’s inspiration, urges us in Romans 12:1 to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Serving Jesus isn’t about what we want—it’s about what He wants. And sometimes, God calls us to radical, uncomfortable things. When He called me to preach, it wasn’t comfortable. I wanted to be a CEO, but God had other plans. Serving Him meant surrendering my desires for His.

The Greatness of Serving

There is greatness in serving the Lord—not the kind of greatness the world chases, but an eternal greatness. When you mow a widow’s lawn without anyone knowing, when you minister to the homeless, when you share the Gospel with someone in need, there is greatness in that. When you serve with a heart for God, whether anyone notices or not, you’re part of His redemptive plan for the world. What a privilege!

Every believer can serve. You don’t need to be a pastor or a missionary. You can be a witness for Jesus, sharing what He’s done in your life. You can serve in your neighborhood, workplace, or family. And within the church, there are countless ways to use your God-given gifts—whether it’s singing, teaching, fixing things, or simply praying.

Using Your Gifts for God

God has uniquely gifted each of us. As 1 Corinthians 12:17-18 says, “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.” Every part of the body of Christ is vital, just like every part of the human body. When one part breaks down, the whole suffers. Similarly, when every member serves, the church thrives.

Some of you are gifted in music, others in teaching, wisdom, or evangelism. Some are natural encouragers or organizers. Whatever your gift, use it for the Lord. And don’t limit yourself to your gifts—sometimes God calls us to serve in areas where we’re not naturally talented, simply because there’s a need.

A Challenge to Serve

I want to challenge you today: How are you doing in serving the Lord? Are you part of the 20% who do 80% of the work in the church, or are you sitting on the sidelines? If you’re serving, is your heart in the right place, or are you seeking recognition or comfort?

In your bulletin today, there’s an insert titled “There Is Greatness in Serving.” It asks, “How is the Lord leading you to serve?” I encourage you to take a moment, grab a pen, and jot down your name, number, and ideas for how God might be calling you to serve. During our invitation time, bring that sheet to the table up front. You can turn it over for privacy if you’d like. I’ll follow up with you to pray and discuss how you can get involved.

There are so many ways to serve:

• Vacation Bible School: We need help with crafts, games, snacks, or classroom assistance. Many people have come to Christ through VBS.
• Evangelism: Share the Gospel in your daily life or join us in outreach efforts like door-to-door visits or our Campaign for Christ.
• Prayer: Join or lead a prayer ministry. God answers prayers, and your intercession can make a difference.
• Visitation: Visit the sick or homebound with others from the church.
• Worship: Use your musical talents to lead or support worship.
• Practical needs: Help with maintenance, women’s or men’s ministries, or small group Bible studies.

Conclusion: There Is Greatness in Serving

As we close, let’s remember Jesus’ words: “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.” There is greatness in serving the Lord, whether anyone sees it or not. When we serve with the right heart, seeking God’s will over our own, we participate in His eternal work. Let’s commit to serving Him wholeheartedly, using our gifts, stepping out of our comfort zones, and trusting Him to work through us.

During this invitation time, come forward, pray, and place your commitment to serve on the table. Let’s be a church that reflects the humble, sacrificial service of our Savior. There is greatness in serving.