Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

January 27
Sunday


THE MARK
OF LEADERSHIP

READ:
Mark 10:35-45
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Whoever of you desires
to be first shall be slave
of all. __Mark 10:44
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While visiting the campus of Purdue University on a frigid winter day, I came upon two young men chipping away thick ice on the sidewalk next to a fraternity house. Thinking they must be underclassmen who had been assigned the tough job by older fraternity brothers, I said, "They didn't tell you about this when you joined, did they?" One looked up with a smile and said, "Well, we're both upperclassmen. I'm the fraternity vice-president." I thanked them for their hard work and went on my way having been reminded that serving others is the mark of a true leader.

When two of Jesus' disciples asked Him for positions of honor in His coming kingdom, the Lord gathered His twelve closest followers and told them, "Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44). If there was any doubt about what Jesus meant, He reminded them that He had not come to be served but to serve others and to give His life to ransom them from the power of sin. (v.45).

The mark of true, godly leadership is not power and privilege, but humble service. God gives us strength to follow Jesus' example and to lead His way. __David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The paths of leadership are trod~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~By those who humbly walk with God,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Their gracious spirit holds a sway~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~That makes you want to go their way. __D. DeHaan~~~~~~
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A qualified leader is one who has learned to serve.

*****************Today's Bible Reading __ Mark 10:35-45********************

35 Then James and John,
the sons of Zebedee, came
to Him, saying, "Teacher,
we want You to do for us
whatever we ask."

36 And He said to them,
"What do you want Me to
do for you?"

37 They said to Him, "Grant
us that we may sit, one on
Your right hand and the
other on Your left, in Your
glory."

38 But Jesus said to them,
"You do not know what you
ask. Are you able to drink
the cup that I drink, and be
baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?"

39 They said to Him, "We
are able." So Jesus said to
them, "You will indeed
drink the cup that I drink,
and with the baptism I am
baptized with you will be
baptized; 40 but to sit on My
right hand and on My left is
not Mine to give, but it is for
those for whom it is
prepared."

41 And when the ten heard
it, they began to be greatly
displeased with James and
John. 42 But Jesus called
them to Himself and said to
them, "You know that those
who are considered rulers
over the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great ones
exercise authority over them.

43 Yet it shall not be so
among you; but whoever
desires to become great
among you shall be your
servant. 44 And whoever of
you desires to be first 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 life a
ransom for many."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

James and John were brothers (Mark 1:19) and part of Jesus' inner
circle (Mark 5:37; 9:2). They may have been Jesus' cousins. Their
mother Salome was probably Mary's (Jesus' mother) sister (Matt.
27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25).