Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to this gathering of hearts aflame with the love of Christ. As we stand together, united in faith, let us turn our hearts and minds to the words of our Lord found in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, verses 35-45: "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “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?” “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, 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.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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."

Jesus as the Perfect Example

In the Gospel of Mark, we find an extraordinary account of Jesus' interaction with James and John. These two disciples, eager for glory, ask Jesus to grant them the highest places of honor in His kingdom. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, responds not with a rebuke, but with a lesson. He tells them that they will indeed share in His sufferings, but the places of honor they seek are not His to give. This response is a powerful demonstration of Jesus' humility and His understanding of His mission.

Jesus, the Son of God, did not come to earth to be served, He came to serve. He came to give His life as a ransom for many. This is the first and most important aspect of Jesus' example that we must understand. He did not seek His own glory, but the glory of His Father. He did not seek His own will, but the will of His Father.

If we are to follow in His footsteps, we must also seek not our own glory, but the glory of God. We must seek not our own will, but the will of God. This is not an easy task. It requires humility, selflessness, and a deep love for God and for others.

Next is His commitment to service. Jesus did not just talk about service, He lived it. He washed the feet of His disciples, a task usually reserved for the lowest servant. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and welcomed the outcasts. He gave His time, His energy, and ultimately His life in service to others.

This commitment to service is not just a nice idea, it is a command. Jesus tells us that if we want to be great in His kingdom, we must be the servant of all. This means putting the needs of others before our own. It means giving of ourselves, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable.

The final aspect of Jesus' example that we must understand is His love. Jesus' humility, His service, and His willingness to suffer were all motivated by love. He loved His Father, and He loved us. He loved us so much that He was willing to give His life for us. This is the driving force behind everything He did and everything He calls us to do. If we are to follow Jesus, we must love as He loved. We must love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we must love our neighbors as ourselves.

Journeying in Christ's Footsteps

As we continue to reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus, we find ourselves drawn to the path He walked ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO