A King who serves, and a God who dies on the cross—it is with this world-turning truth that I wish to begin my day.
How hard this was to hear, yet how necessary. You always walked in the truth, even when it was painful.
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31)
But, Lord, how quickly my heart, like the hearts of the disciples, turns from Your cross to my own ambitions. While You were speaking of Your suffering, two of them, through their mother, were dreaming of seats of honor in Your kingdom.
And I? I too often dream of recognition, success, and of being important in the eyes of the world. Forgive me for my blindness and my self-seeking ways.
Lord, help me accept the way of the cross.
When You asked them if they could drink the cup that You had to drink, they answered boldly, “We can.” They did not know what they were saying, but You knew.
You knew that following You involves suffering. This is the cup that I, too, must accept. It is the cup before which even You, in Your human nature, trembled.
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matthew 26:39)
Your will, not mine, be done. Help me today to move from words to acts of service, whatever the cost.
Teacher, turn my heart to service.
When the other disciples grew indignant, You gathered them all and showed them a new path. A path that is upside down. Not lordship, but service. Not power, but humility. This is the measure of Your kingdom.
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”” (Mark 9:35)
You are the greatest example of this. You, who are God, became a servant.
“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
Your path was one of complete self-emptying, a path of love that gives itself to the very end.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8)
This is the path to which You invite me as well. You do not promise me honor and glory by this world’s standards, but something immeasurably greater: a share in Your glory, if only I remain with You through trials, for the path to glory leads straight through the cross.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)
Lord, today let me not seek the first place, but the opportunity to serve. Let me not long to be served, but to serve You in my brothers and sisters.
Amen.
Amen 🙏