Even The Son Of Man

Mark 10:35-45 (NIV)
³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
³⁶ "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
³⁷ They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
³⁸ "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
³⁹ "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,
⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
⁴² Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.
⁴⁵ 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."

Many times we ask God for things that are contrary to our good and to His will. This can happen out of selfishness, bad judgment, misunderstanding, or ignorance. This is not to be intended to be an exhaustive list, but gives the idea. I think it can be said that such a request came from a combination of all four. The other ten disciples became indignant, but in their hearts they wanted the same thing.

Jesus addresses the root of the problem and one of the main principles of the new kingdom. We are not to be served, but serve. This becomes the measure of greatness and the measure of a changed heart. Jesus demonstrated this in coming, in His life, and in His death on our behalf.

Placing others first shows our love of God. As we do for others, we do for God. This is our obedience and thanks to the Father. We become like Jesus, even the Son of Man.