You First – Family Devotion – October 25, 2021

Read: Mark 10:35-45

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”
Mark 10:41-45

You First

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“I’m the best!” Brayden whispered, pointing at the A+ on his spelling test. Avery looked at him and rolled her eyes. “Oh boy, here we go again!” she thought to herself. You see, all the kids in first grade had been getting used to Brayden saying this. Brayden would get a homerun in kickball and shout, “I’m the best!” as he was rounding the bases. Brayden would finish his math facts sheets before anyone else and tell his friends, “I’m the best at math!” No matter what it was, Brayden always liked to tell everyone how great he thought he was.

Unfortunately, not many of Brayden’s classmates agreed with him. Usually this made the other students so upset that they didn’t even want to play with Brayden at recess or eat with him at lunch. Sadly, the one thing that Brayden actually was the best at was being proud and selfish.

Some of Jesus’ disciples had a similar problem in the story today. The brothers James and John had come to Jesus and asked if they could have a special privilege. They asked if they could sit on his right and left side some day in glory. In a sense, you could say they wanted to be the best in Jesus’ kingdom. When the other ten disciples heard about this, they were very upset. “Why should they be the best? Why can’t we be the best? We want to be treated specially in Jesus’ kingdom, too!”

That’s when Jesus had to bring all his disciples together and teach them something important. Jesus told them that many worldly rulers like to use their power and authority to try to be the best and rule over other people. (Even today we see this same thing sometimes with celebrities, athletes, and political leaders.) But Jesus teaches his disciples both then and now something very strange to this world—whoever wants to be first and best should be like a servant.

For an example of this, we need look no further than Jesus himself. Jesus is the best. He is God. Yet Jesus humbly came not to be served by us as the best. Instead, he came to serve us and treat us like we are the best. Jesus sacrificed himself to be the ransom—the payment—that would pay for our sins and give us the gift of life in heaven. We love and treasure our Savior so much because he served us with such love. The important lesson we learn today is that our joy as Christians is to put others first and love them just as Jesus has loved us.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to serve us by giving your life to die for us and pay for our sins. Help me to be humble and to put others first in love, just like you did. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What does it mean to be proud? How did the disciples act proud and selfish?
• What does it mean to be humble? How did Jesus act humbly with love?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think so many people act selfishly today and try to be “the best”?
• Jesus is true God and actually is “the best.” Explain why Jesus didn’t act like it here in this world.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree/Disagree: It is always wrong to put your own wants or desires before that of others. Explain your answer.
• Identify two ways that you can be humble and put others first.