Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Mark 10:35-45 (NIV)
The Request of James and John
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “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?” 39 “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, 40 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.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 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. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 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.”
Choose one or two key verses from the Scripture reading today and do at least one of the following for your chosen verse(s).
A – Ask questions of the text (Who, what, why, where, when)
E – Emphasize certain words as you read the text over & over
I – In your own words (paraphrase one or more verses)
O – Other verses in the Bible that say the same or opposite
U – Use it; apply the truth from the text in your life
Lord the world’s measure of success is the attainment of popularity or profit, wealth and power. I so often fall into the trap to measure myself by the world’s standards. But those measures don’t achieve contentment or fulfillment; they are like chasing after the wind. Help me to submit my life to You. Lord fill me with Your Spirit and give me a servant’s heart. Help me to see where I can respect the weakest, the hungriest, the loneliest, the sickest, the neediest and serve them with Your love and respect. Help me lift them up with Your grace and share your love. May Your way of serving bring me in a closer relationship with You, which is the true measure of success. Amen