Mark 10:41-45

Rachel Workman: 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.” We have been ransomed from Satan. That's how much our God loves us.

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John Burnett:  ⁴¹ Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with ^[a]James and John.⁴² Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. ⁴³ But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; ⁴⁴ and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His ^[b]life a ransom for many.”  Our recognition in heaven is dependent upon our service here on earth.  Our justification has nothing to do with our service here on earth.  The ransom His life paid for you and me and the trust we put in it and it alone justifies us and insures we will spend eternity

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Allen Michaels:  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. Jesus told them that true greatness comes from serving others. 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.” This verse reveals not only the motive for Jesus’ ministry, but also the basis for our salvation. A ransom was the price to be paid to release a slave. Jesus paid a ransom for us because we could not pay it ourselves. His death released all of us from sin. The disciples thought Jesus’ life and power would save them from Rome; Jesus said his death would save them from sin, an even greater slavery than Rome’s.

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^{Shelly Joslin: 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.” Equality. No one is greater than any other. We are all called to serve Him and/or each other; Jews and Gentiles alike. With that said, I can never expect to go to heaven on a feather bed (though the price has been paid) - if being 'great' is my desire, I must first serve others in order to achieve or even understand what greatness is.

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Tomorrow's reading for Mark 10:46-52

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁸ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

⁵¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

⁵² “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.