Jesus Christ, the True Standard of Life
“20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, 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 by my Father.”
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.””
Jesus repeatedly warned His disciples about the suffering and death He would soon face, but this was unfamiliar to them. The disciples, having witnessed His power, expected Him to become a mighty king. As they approached Jerusalem, their hopes grew stronger that Jesus would establish a new kingdom, and they envisioned holding prominent positions within it.
In response, Jesus asked, "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" This cup refers to the suffering and sacrifice He would endure, as symbolized by the "cup of suffering" He prayed about in Gethsemane. Jesus added, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” This statement reveals that God’s kingdom operates differently from worldly power. Earthly rulers often wield power to dominate, but the principle in Jesus’ kingdom is one of service and sacrifice.
Today's passage shows us the true standard for life. We often measure success by the visible power and influence we see in the world. Worldly values easily become our goals in everyday life. However, Jesus teaches us the true principles of God's kingdom, contrasting them with worldly standards. Unlike those who use their authority to control, Jesus came not to rule but to serve and sacrifice Himself for others. His life is the true model of discipleship for all Christians.
Our life's goal is to become like Jesus. This is the purpose for which we were created in God's image, and it is the path to true happiness. Even when the world’s values confuse or tempt us, we must look to Jesus and follow Him. The life of a true Christian is connected to a life of serving others. Loving God naturally leads to loving our neighbors, and those who serve God must also serve people.
Following Jesus brings joy, and we are called to live as a community that builds one another up through service. At times, we may be called to serve those we find difficult or disagreeable. In such moments, we should look to Jesus and pray to serve others with His heart. May the Lord govern our hearts this morning, guiding us to boldly walk in His path.
Prayer: Lord, lead us to adjust the compass of our faith journey back toward You. Expose the temptations, frustrations, and desires within us so that we may refocus on You. By Your grace, fill us with satisfaction, gratitude, and peace. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.