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Mark 10:35-45 (NLT)
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to [Jesus]. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
36 “What is your request?” he asked.
37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. 40 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”
41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.
42 So 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. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 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.”
In this story, two men ask to be seated next to Jesus in heaven. Why? Well in this Scripture we see that Jesus mentions in the times they lived in, the leaders would brag about their powers and often use it in ways to oppress others, or in ways that would make their servants feel less than.
Even in our culture today, as we scroll through social media, it's easy to think that those who hold the mic, or those that are known by many, have it better than we do.
The interesting thing about this passage is that Jesus doesn’t get angry with the men for making this request. He sees where they are and understands what they’re really asking.
These men really just wanted to know that they have value, they wanted to feel as though they’re important.
We understand that God, who created us in His image, already assigns us as valuable, and important.
"Desiring a title to fill a void of importance, may only make you feel more empty once it’s achieved."
Maybe instead of striving toward a platform just to feel some sort of "worth", ask God to open your eyes to how valuable you already are, right where you are.
Read through Scripture and soak in the ways God displays patience, long suffering, and kindness to a people who can’t quite seem to get it right, then ask, “Why would He go through all that trouble?” [You must be valuable.]
Look at your life and think on those moments the God of the universe, in spite of everything happening in the world and its billions of inhabitants, noticed you, and chose to make you His own. [Maybe you’re already seen.]
Yes, a part of you desires to be noticed and seen as important by others, because you truly are, just don’t forget where your value actually comes from. As we’re celebrating Christmas, don’t forget that God sending Jesus was the ultimate sign of His love for you and how invaluable you really are.
Prayer
Jesus thank You for loving me. Allow me to understand and firmly believe that I am valuable just as I am. Help me to focus on the truth of what You say about me over the lies that I hear or think. In Jesus name, Amen.
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