James and John had the courage and nerve to approach Jesus with an outrageous question. This was after they had followed Jesus around Galilee and Judea for three years. By this time, they knew Jesus well. They said to Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask (John 10:35 NIV).” Jesus welcomed their inquiry by responding, “What do you want me to do for you (v. 36)?” These disciples had guts. “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory (v. 37).” I can’t believe they asked the Son of God such a question. It must have been his approachability, unending kindness and love that emboldened such a request. It is obvious from the question that they felt no inhibition, which is staggering considering they believed they were following the most holy Son of God.
Jesus welcomed their question but said that the question was not his to answer. He deferred the answer to his Father. He then used the opportunity of their bold question to instruct them and the rest of his closest friends about greatness and leadership.
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:42-45 NIV
I recently finished reading a book entitled “How Starbucks Saved My Life.” This little book was written by a gentlemen named Michael Gates Gill who grew up in a life of privilege. He was educated at Yale and went to work in New York City at one of the largest advertising companies in the words. After a successful career spanning 25 years and achieving the role of Creative Director, he lost his job, lost his marriage and lost his place in life.
This small engaging read tells the story of the rebuilding of his life after a young woman less than half his age offered him a job at Starbucks. Through cleaning toilets, sweeping floors, and other acts of hard work and service, he began connecting, maybe for the first time, with humanity in a meaningful way.
Near the book’s end, he describes an evening when he was part of the team closing the store, and was in the process of cleaning and encouraging guests to exit. One of the guests was a man who was rude to him earlier that evening. Carrying a bit of frustration, he told the man that the store was closing and that it was time to leave when the man jumped up, cursed and pulled a knife on him. A co-worker intervened and cooled the moment. Yet, later that evening, as Michael reflected on the events of the day, he realized that he had a part to play in the altercation. His judgment and condescending attitude toward the man fueled the conflict. He determined that he was at Starbucks as in life to serve, not to rule. He wrote,
“You can’t serve if you try to control the people you serve.
-Michael Gates Gill”
I believe that Michael said it well and gets to the heart of what Jesus meant when He said
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
-Jesus