Monday, March 30, 2026
You Mean I Should Serve Others? Mark 10:32-45
So, how’s your serve? No, I’m not talking about tennis, obviously. How well do you willingly do what needs to be done – in your home, for your family, at your church, or in the community?
A little transparency is in order here. I love good service. When I dine out, I like the server to be attentive, to understand my order, and to present the meal with care. A smile always finds its way onto my face when the server at Chick-Fil-A responds to my thank you with their signature line – “my pleasure.”
Jesus reverses the natural love to be served asking us to learn to love to serve. It can be difficult to understand that principle as we see in this lesson from Mark’s Gospel. 32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. …
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.”
Our high calling is to serve – God and others – not for the glory but with joy. God’s pathway to true greatness does not come from a title or an executive office. It is found in faithfulness, in our willingness to seek to serve.
True service is fueled by love, not reward. It is offered without thought of thanks or compensation. How do we do this?
We can take notice of someone who is ‘unseen’ by others offering thanks or encouragement.
We can pray faithfully for someone who is suffering or broken, a service offered in secret.
We can love those who are difficult or unlovely.
We can wash the dishes when our spouse is tired.
We can go the extra mile for a friend.
We can take time to listen and speak of God’s love.
Can it be difficult? It sure can be. But the way of true greatness, Jesus said, is service. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
So, how’s your serve?
This Monday, pray for opportunities to serve others and to find the joy of humility and selflessness in the moment. I can say for certain that you will come to the end of the day a happier Christian. Oh, by the way, God sees and never forgets. His reward for ‘good and faithful servants’ is one of which we are absolutely assured.
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Reflect –
Who will I choose to serve today?
Do I serve for recognition or for the joy of being useful to God and others?
Am I focused on eternal rewards when I serve?
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I am excited to hear of your discoveries, about your struggles, and to pray with you.
If you would like to share any of those things with me you may do by emailing me – JerScott55@gmail.com
For a video of this devotion go to
CoffeeBreak With The Word 
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