Based on Mark 10: 35-45

They were quite assertive, these two, bent on achieving positions of prestige and power in a coming kingdom.

Yes, James and John had thought it through and could visualise themselves being in key places of influence in the future kingdom of Jesus Christ. So they stopped Jesus and asked Him to let them have the best chairs - the ones on the left and on the right of His own. Of course, He could have the middle chair. But in looking at Him, others would be obligated to notice them and recognise their greatness and laud their sizeable accomplishments.

I see too much of this in my day - in others and in myself. We want to give Jesus His rightful chair, but we also want our devotion to elevate us to positions of influence that prove our coy and cunning craftiness in reaching our stated goal. How ridiculous!

I wish we could see leadership from God's perspective and not our own. I cringe whenever I see people jockeying for favour. They stay in contact with the right people, work to leave a lasting impression on anyone they perceive holds a position of authority, and use their names often within earshot of those who choose who sits in which chair at what meeting.

Secular culture takes pride in aligning itself for the next big promotion or that next large leadership place. The methods are shallow, but effective: dress well, speak well, play the game well, move from good to great, and work to become a Level Five Leader. After years of determined effort, you'll reach your goal and get the big chair!

"Not so with you" Jesus told Jim and Johnny, and through them, He speaks to us (v. 43).

Greatness in His kingdom is achieved through service - and not the kind that bows only to garner greater kudos.

Motives must be kept pure, people must remain at the centre of why we do what we do, and love must be the over-arching motivation, regardless of how it will look on a freshly-revised resume.

In living out His lesson, Jesus was able to "give his life as a ransom for many" (V. 45).

I can only pray that my "greatness" is characterised by the type of selfless service my Lord and Saviour demonstrated. For in following his example, I transcend earthly position-seeking and discover the true joy of leading from God’s perspective.

www.atlantictransplant.blogspot.com