Last Tuesday Bryony spoke about power and position in the kingdom of God and asked where we are exhibiting ‘power kid’ behaviour? She was reflecting on the disciples’ question to Jesus, “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Today’s passage is similar. Let’s read verse 21-22 and 24-28.

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour of him.  

“What is it you want?” he asked.

She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the 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 your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

We know from Bryony last week we are to be like children – not childish, but of low position, not stomping our feet trying to get our own way. Today Jesus teaches that if any of us wants to be great – first – to take the position of power, we must aim to be the lowest of the low.

So, is Jesus advocating that we shun positions of power? Should followers of Jesus abdicate all positions of leadership in the church and in the world? Jesus left heaven, left his throne in the throne room of heaven and became one of the working class, without power, position or standing. Do we need to do the same?

Maybe!?

In the story we have just read, a mum asks Jesus to give her boys the two most important positions in the kingdom: the seats at his right hand and his left hand. “Jesus, you’re the boss – we can see that – but you’re going to need some top level advisors in your royal court, right!? Can I suggest you consider my boys, James and John?”

What with last week’s discussion about “who’s the greatest?” and this week, the two brothers pushing mum forward to ask for positions of power, Jesus is going to spell out very clearly, in language that is easy to understand.

A desire for power is wrong and has no place in the kingdom that Jesus demonstrates and invites us to join.

The gentiles… those without God… lord it over each other. NOT SO WITH YOU!

They exercise authority over each other…. NOT SO WITH YOU!

Jesus could not be any clearer.

We all have a desire for power, to be in control, to do what we want, when we want how we want. From our tantrums as a child to… well… our tantrums as grown ups… we have to do away with our desire for power.

How? Serve! It is as easy and straight forward as that. Serve.

I came across a reflection by Richard Rohr this week, this part really jumped out at me:

The only meaningful division is between those who serve
and those who allow themselves to be served.
All the rest is temporary posturing.

There is a clear division between those who serve others and those who are served.

Which side of the dividing line do we fall on?

What would others say about us? Our families, our work colleagues, our bosses our subordinates?

Do we serve or do we expect to be served? Do we put others first or do we expect the world to revolve around us?

Jesus is very clear. He didn’t come as an earthly king with subjects to be served. No, he came as heaven’s king, to train his royal subjects to serve others – you and me. He came to serve to such an extent that he lay down his life in service of others – he died in service so that others – you and me – might live. So that we might live to serve others.

Even now, I am at home, trying to write this podcast. Helen is trying to record a piece to camera for Sunday’s online gathering. I am good with the technical side of recording. I can feel my frustration rising because Helen needs my help and I want to get on with this… decision time! Do I serve Helen or do I serve myself? Do I choose to put down my thing on her behalf or do I get grumpy because I cannot do what I want to do?

Those who put themselves first, says Jesus, will be last, those who think of themselves last will be first in the kingdom of heaven.

Whether we hold positions of power, of leadership or authority or whether we are bottom of the pile the call on our lives is the same. We are to serve others.

Let’s take a moment. Let’s wait on the Lord. What are you saying to us today Father? Where do you want to affirm us? Where do you want to challenge us? What is your word to us today?