Mark 10:35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to appoint, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them 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; instead, 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 10:35-45 (NRSVUE)
So, I always think of the disciples as very God-like and devout. I forget that they were human like all of us. They had the same faults and things to overcome that we all face. I can't imagine how humbling it would be to have been corrected personally by Jesus, out loud. They were trying to do good and felt like somehow they should be rewarded for what they did. Understandable.
I think of times when I did something nice for someone. It made me feel good to go the extra mile for those folks, and I hope it made their life better; however, I had to stop and consider the reason why I was doing it. Was it only to give to them? Was it because I would feel special for having done it? Was it because I would receive some accolades for the special task? I know I did the best I could, but I also have tried, since that time, to do things more covertly and not look for any return to me for the acts, truly to be okay with not even receiving a thank you from anyone, just simply doing something for spreading good wherever I can. (Not always easy for this mere human, but I pray that being aware of motives gets me part way there.)
Jesus teaches us that the good we do should be for the good itself, not for what we may gain from it. A high bar to reach for, and yet something to continually strive for.
Questions for Reflection:
- Can I do good without ever looking for a thank you?
- How can I get my mind in the right place to do good for good and not for gain?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the example for us to follow. Thank you for always being there and understanding that although we strive to be like you, we fall short, but we keep trying. All praise and glory to you, Lord Jesus!
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