24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Blending can be very good for cakes and milkshakes and smoothies and the like but not too good for followers of the Lord Jesus who choose to continually meld with this world’s ways. The Master here gives us a clear: “Not so with you.” Indeed, if we are serious about walking as Jesus did our lives will look markedly different from what is embraced and elevated by man. John tells us:
5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV)
Jesus is our Cornerstone our top angle or corner. The cornerstone was an ancient construction technique whereby the stone was carefully placed and the entire building was lined up with it. It was set to be the basis for every measurement in a building, governing all lines and angles. Paul calls Christ Jesus the “Chief Cornerstone” in Ephesians and as His followers we are part of His household and are to be measuring our lives by His standards and ways – walk as He walked:
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Eph 2:19-20 (NIV)
“That is the picture Paul paints of Christ. In all respects He was the perfect cornerstone – strong, perfect in character, and exact in measurement. We, therefore, are to conform to Him in every detail for we, too, are part of the building. What if we do not conform to the Cornerstone? What if we do not measure ourselves by that standard? What if our placement is not according to that absolute? Just think of how noticeable peeling paint is on a house or how an improperly laid brick or stone sticks out. Any such flaw either weakens, or at the very least, disfigures the building. Likewise, we are to conform to Christ lest we weaken or disfigure the building.” J. D. Watson
The other ten disciples were indignant with John and James’ ambitious request (perhaps because they hadn’t thought of it first and were just as ambitious!). It is common for people to be angry of those sins in others which they indulge in themselves. Ever aware of the friction within His troops, our Lord calls them together to remind them of the importance of the principle of serving. Greatness in Jesus’ kingdom did not come through authority or being the big dog rather it came through service. We are to choose labor over lording. This is what He modeled for them – healing, feeding the multitudes, washing His disciple’s feet – Christ was all about serving. There was no pomp and grandeur with Him – no long flowing robes rather He was the pattern of graciousness, humility and usefulness. Our Lord lived doing good and died as our Sacrifice giving His life as a ransom for His subjects. It is therefore the duty of every Christian to willingly serve one another – this is our high calling. We are serving and honoring Christ when we serve one another. The more we understand of Christ’s humility and humiliation the more ready and careful we should be to imitate it. Jesus’ Words in Matthew come to mind:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’” 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25:34-40 (NIV)
Those who are best esteemed, wooing, respected and most like the Master are humble, self-less and serviceable. It is the way to be chief and great. Certainly these traits honor God most and those who seek to honor God, God’s honors.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26 (NIV)