Jesus said, “it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Mark 10:43-45
Imagine a man tirelessly climbing a ladder toward the sky, each rung representing his achievements and accolades. He believes that the higher he climbs, the closer he will get to true greatness. The ladder extends into the clouds, and he cannot see the top, but as he climbs, others assure him that he is on the right path. They are headed the same way, after all.
Yet, upon reaching the top, he finds the ladder leads to nothing—his view is empty, fulfillment elusive. He is alone.
In our world, greatness is often measured by status, power, and recognition. We are constantly prompted to follow this formula for a successful life. But Jesus presents a profound paradox in Mark 10:35-45: true greatness does not come from elevating ourselves, but from humbling ourselves to serve others.
In this passage, we see a clear distinction between the way of the world and the way of the cross. James and John, the Sons of Thunder, boldly ask Jesus to grant them seats of honor. Their request reflects a universal human desire for privilege and importance. How often do we seek recognition in our careers, social circles, even within the church?
But James and John, like so many of us, are climbing a ladder of ambition that will not lead to the peace they hope for. The allure of prestige can blind us to the true nature of discipleship. Even the other disciples become indignant—not because they understand servanthood better, but likely because they, too, desire positions of honor. Competition and envy disrupt community and fellowship, as we see even among Jesus' closest disciples.
In Mark 10:42, Jesus contrasts the Gentile rulers who "lord it over" others with the model He sets. In the world, authority often means exerting power over others. But Jesus says, "Not so with you." Greatness in God's kingdom is marked by service: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Only through Christ can we live out this call to servanthood. Without Him, we are stuck climbing the ladder to nowhere, teaching others to chase empty ambitions. Jesus speaks of the suffering He will endure and tells His disciples they will share in it too. To be a disciple of Jesus is to suffer, to be baptized in Christ is to renounce the self. To drink His cup means to give up our wants for His Kingdom, even to the point of death on a cross.
True Christianity is not a self-help option; it is the way of the cross. Isaiah 53 describes a servant who bears our pain and is pierced for our transgressions. Jesus embodies this prophecy through His life and sacrificial death. He teaches us that emptying ourselves, not building ourselves up, is the way to eternal life—a life of flourishing and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Servanthood is not merely performing tasks; it is a willingness to sacrifice for others. It is a posture that loves deeply.
This explains how Jesus could face oppression and affliction without fighting back or defending Himself. His posture was rooted in assurance. As Psalm 91 says, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." As we step out to serve, we rest in God's protection and provision.
Where do we find His presence? Where do we find assurance? We find them both in God’s Word. Praying and immersing ourselves in the Scriptures provides the comfort in Christ that allows us to stop climbing on our own. Hebrews 4:12 says,
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword."
God's Word exposes our true intentions, challenges our motives for seeking honor, and equips us for service.
We have a great high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses. We can approach God's throne of grace with confidence, receiving mercy and grace to help us trust in Him. Through Christ's grace, we are empowered to serve others. This grace is made real to us through the Eucharist, where Christ nourishes us with His very life. In communion, we receive the true body and blood of Jesus, the remnants of His own sacrifice, and the heavenly reward for servanthood.
After communion, we pray: "Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord." We go out into our community and identify needs—loneliness, poverty, injustice. Sometimes this means meeting material needs; sometimes it means addressing spiritual or emotional poverty in our own homes.
Wherever we see the marks of a broken and fallen world, we are called to be present, offering compassion and support, being the hands and feet of Christ. By helping those who can never repay us, who will never give us accolades, we shift our focus from self-promotion to the well-being of others. We become the servant that Christ has called us to be.
Embrace humility, recognizing that our worth is found in Christ, not in the praise of others. Our ability to serve flows from our union with Christ, strengthened through the Eucharist, where He gives Himself to us so that we might give ourselves to others. Serving others reflects God's love and transforms lives. It fosters unity and builds up the body of Christ.
So, what is the man to do who, upon reaching the top of a ladder to nowhere, finds himself alone? He takes a deep breath, repents, and descends—sharing the truth with everyone he passes on the way down. The greatest view is found not at the top, but alongside those we lift up.
Let us embrace the paradox of greatness through servanthood. As we serve, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the ultimate servant. God's grace empowers us to serve, and His presence accompanies us on this journey. Through Baptism and the Eucharist, Christ empowers us to serve, feeding us with His life so that we can be His presence in the world.
In a world obsessed with climbing higher, may we find the courage to step down, to serve, and in doing so, discover the true greatness that comes from following Christ's example—empowered by His grace and nourished by His body and blood.
Greatness Through Servanthood