"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)
But among you it will be different.
As followers of Christ, this statement applies to many aspects of our lives. We see people all around us (ourselves included!) living for the world- indulging in sinful behavior, fighting up the corporate ladder, stuck in conflict with coworkers or friends, the list can go on. But Jesus tells us to be different.
Different isn’t always easy. In fact, Jesus promises that we will face troubles. He even says that we will be hated because of our relationship with Him! (Matthew 10:22) It’s not easy to be a Christ-follower in this world. Our sinful nature separates us from God. We face the devil’s attacks every single day. Jesus himself faced temptations, trials, & persecution just like we do. He felt the human emotions & had human needs. But He was different. He didn’t succumb to the pressure or give in to the temptation. He didn’t lord his power over the people. He was a servant to all- even those who persecuted Him. He made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up His life for all of humanity. He overcame this world for us! (John 16:33)
We’re not Jesus. We can’t be. But Jesus, the ultimate servant leader, lives in us. He helps us to be different. God’s Word strengthens us so we can make wise choices, lay down our sinful desires, & serve our neighbors in love. So be in the Word. Worship, receive the sacrament, & be in fellowship with His people. Strive every day to be different as you live for the One who gave His life for you.
In His Love,
Miss Kenzie