In this passage, James and John ask Jesus if he can grant them two places next to him, one to sit on his right side and the other to sit on the left. Jesus questioned them and said, “You don’t know what you are asking.” He mentions how it isn’t His decision to grant who was to sit next to Him or not.
After the ten disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were unhappy with them but 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.”
Growing up I never would’ve imagined myself to be in charge of any group or to be a leader in any way. I felt that these verses spoke on the importance of taking initiative and becoming the leader you are called to be. Leadership can be very intimidating at times because of the responsibility that comes with it.
However, I have noticed that the transition of becoming a leader never ends. There will always be new things to learn, to experience. It starts with learning how to put others before you and learning to accept mistakes and pick yourself up after making mistakes. I am an evolving leader and I hope I can learn from others as much as others can learn from me. This is our calling, this experience of becoming someone greater and leading with the words of Christ.
