March 27, 2026
Tim Cruse | March 30, 2026
Friday, March 27, 2026
Friday, March 27
“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” —Mark 10:35
Our Lord Jesus Christ is journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem here in Mark 10. He is headed to Calvary to pay the penalty for our sins. Yet, what is on the minds of James and John - “What about us?” “What can you do for us Jesus to give us personal advantage and access?” Note verse 37, “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.”
This is so contrary to what many think service to God is all about. Some people try to use God while God wants to use us. He is not there so much for us as we are here for Him. Jesus teaches us that the blessed life is one of service and sacrifice - “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45
If we are going to follow Jesus, remember that His path leads through death to self, to personal ambition, to “my way.” 1 Peter 2:21 states, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” In Christian service, death comes before life.
It will cost us to serve Jesus. There is no painless way to follow Him Who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Wounds and scars in Christian service ~ we will have them. But, remember that a scar is not only a sign of injury, but also of healing.
Sometimes we must find the heart to continue:
I am nothing,
my strength is almost gone,
my hair is thinning and
my waistline is winning,
but my God is still on His throne.
We must go deeper into the heart of God through the Scriptures. He has not changed. He is still in control. He is at work in our lives as He weans us from this world of woe to get us ready for a world of wow one day soon.
The Devil cannot take your opportunity, but he can convince you to willingly give it up. Like Esau, that birthright or opportunity you despise today you will desire tomorrow. Do not forsake in the night what God gave you in the light. Keep your heart yielded to God. In the midst of your personal Gethsemane Jesus still asks, “lovest thou me?”
The songwriter of this chorus words our prayer for us today, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask, to be like Him, all through life’s journey from earth to glory, all I ask to be like Him.” As we look at our cross, may God give us faith to look beyond it to the crown that awaits.
Yes, in following Jesus death comes before life. But, the resurrection life that follows death to self and personal ambition brings untold glory to God and blessing to so many others.
You are loved and prayed for.
Sincerely,
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