Day 8 — The King Who Gives His Life

Day 8 · The Gospel: God’s Saving Grace · Mark 10:32-45 (NET2)

As Jesus speaks of his coming suffering and resurrection, James and John seek places of honor. Jesus reshapes greatness around service and explains his unique mission: giving his life as a ransom for many. Our service does not purchase salvation. It is a grateful response to the King whose saving service makes us his own.

Request

Lord Jesus, free me from the need to be important. By your Spirit, help me treasure your saving service and serve others with humility. Amen.

Read

Mark 10:32-45

³² They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of them, and they were amazed, but those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him. ³³ “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles. ³⁴ They will mock him, spit on him, flog him severely, and kill him. Yet after three days, he will rise again.”

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” ³⁶ He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” ³⁷ They said to him, “Permit one of us to sit at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.” ³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I experience?” ³⁹ They said to him, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience, ⁴⁰ but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

⁴¹ Now when the other 10 heard this, they became angry with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions use their authority over them. ⁴³ But it is not this way among you. Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all. ⁴⁵ 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.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. How does the disciples' request contrast with Jesus' account of his mission and of greatness?
2. Where could gratitude for Christ's ransom replace your desire for recognition with willing service?

Restate

Distinguish Jesus' unique saving work from the service to which he calls his followers.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Christ as the King who came to serve.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for giving his life as a ransom for many.
• Confession: Confess ambition that uses people or resents being unnoticed.
• Intercession: Pray for leaders who carry responsibility for others.
• Petition: Ask for humility and joy in ordinary service.

Carry it into today: Do one useful thing for another person without seeking credit.