Jesus’ Followers Compete for Honor
Welcome to Day 281 of our journey with Jesus. Today, we see what happened when people met Jesus. The main truth for today is this: Jesus responds to his followers' desire for rank by teaching them to serve others. Let’s begin.
Current details of the journeyView the calendar, Episode and passage
Jesus in Action
Mark 10:35–45
Step 1 of 5
See what happened when people met Jesus.
Kadib Yacquub iyo Yooxanaa wiilashii Sebedi ayaa u yimid Ciise. Waxeyna ku yiraahdeen, “Macalinow, waxaan dooneynaa inaad noo sameysid wax walboo aan kaa codsano.” Markaas ayuu weydiiyay, “Waa maxey waxaad dooneysaan inaan idiin sameeyo?” Markaas ayey ugu jawaabeen, “Noo ogolow meesha ammaantaada in midkeenna fariisto gacantaada midigta kan kalana fariisto bidixda.” Markaas ayaa Ciise ku yiri, “Ma garaneysaan waxaad weydisaneysaan, miyaad ka cabi kartaan koobka aan ka cabayo, mise miyaa la idin ku baabtiisi karaa baabtiiskii la igu baabtiisay?” Waxey ku jawaabeen, “Haa waan awoodnaa.” Ciisana wuxuu iyaga ku yiri, “Runtii waad ka cabi doontaan koobka aan Anigu ka cabayo oo waana la idin ku baabtiisi doona baabtiiskii Aniga la igu baabtiisay, laakiin inaad midigtayda ama bidixdayda fariisataan anigu ma idiin ogolaan karo. Boosaskaas waxaa leh kuwii loo diyaariyay.” Markey tobankii kale ee xerta ahaa arintan maqleen aad ayey Yacquub iyo Yooxanaa uga xanaaqeen. Laakiin Ciise ayaa iskugu yeeray oo ku yiri, “Waad garaneysaan sida ey boqorrada dadka aan Yuhuudda ahayn ugu taliyaan dadkooda, iyo sida ey madaxdu dadka si awood ah ugu taliyaan. Laakiin idinku sidaas ha u dhaqmina. Qofkii raba inuu madax noqdo waa inuu dadka u adeego, qofkii raba inuu ugu hormarana waa inuu adeege u ahaado qof walba. Waayo Wiilka Aadanahu uma imaan in loo adeego, laakiin inuu adeego, iyo inuu naftiisa u huro si uu kuwo badan u badbaadiyo.”
Kitaabka Quduuska Ah: Ereyga Illaahey™ Axdiga Cusub Daabacaadan anaga ayaa leh © 2024 waxaa soo saaray Biblica, Inc. Waxaa lagu isticmaalay ogolaasho. Xaqeeda oo dhanna waa la xaafiday meel walba oo aduunka ka tirsan. Somali Contemporary Bible™ New Testament Copyright © 2024 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Watch: Why Jesus Says Greatness Starts with Serving Others
Watch the companion video, then continue reading to examine the biblical testimony in its full context.
Yesterday we talked about divided loyalty — the struggle of trying to trust two different things at the same time. Today, a new story unfolds on the road as Jesus leads the way toward Jerusalem, Jesus challenges His followers to completely change the way they define success.
The Request on the Road
James and John step forward from the group to talk to Jesus privately. With Jerusalem in sight and His death drawing near, they ask for the highest positions of honor: the seats at His right and His left in His kingdom. Even after traveling with Him for so long, they still view success the way human rulers do—focusing on high social status, pride, and political power.
The Cup and the Baptism
Jesus stops and looks directly at them. He asks if they are able to go through the same severe suffering and hardships that He is about to face. Without hesitating, the two brothers declare, “We can.” Jesus confirms that they will indeed suffer as He will. However, He makes it clear that these honors are not given out through favoritism. He shows them how completely they have misunderstood the path they are walking.
Anger Among the Disciples
When the other ten disciples hear about this conversation, they become very angry. The group splits, not because the other ten understand humility, but because they are upset that two of them tried to get the best positions first. This competition for rank and importance threatens to divide the whole group.
Jesus Redefines Greatness
Jesus steps into the argument and calls all twelve disciples together. He points out how worldly rulers control people by force and show off their authority. Then, He gives them a completely opposite rule: “It must not be that way among you.” Whoever wants to be great must become a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a helper to everyone.
The Ultimate Example
Jesus shows that He lives by this same standard: He did not come to be served, but to serve others, and to give His life to rescue many people. The disciples started the day competing for power; they leave realizing that the only way to be great in God’s kingdom is to follow their King in serving others.
Tomorrow, we will look closely at the exact words Jesus uses to redefine greatness and authority.
Consider this.
What does this encounter reveal about Jesus?
Notice the encounter
Read Mark 10:35–45 and notice how Jesus redefines greatness around service.
