Mark 10:37, 40, 43–45 NIV “They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’ … ‘These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’ … 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.”
Every man wrestles with the question: What makes me great? In a world that measures greatness by titles, net worth, and dominance, God flips the script. And for Christian men seeking to lead their families, build their careers, and honor Christ, this reversal can feel like a total gut check.
James and John wanted to be great. They asked Jesus for the highest honors in His Kingdom—front-row seats to glory. But Jesus didn’t rebuke their desire for greatness. He redefined it.
Greatness, Jesus said, looks like service. It looks like sacrifice. It looks like Him.
Our God came not as a conquering ruler but as a humble servant. He didn’t seize power—He gave up His life. If you want to lead your family, impact your work, or influence the world for God, it won’t be through power grabs or self-promotion. It will be through washing feet, bearing burdens, and giving more than you take.
Many men today are running hard after greatness, but for the wrong reasons. We use our work to glorify ourselves, and often neglect or steamroll our families in the process. But biblical manhood means rejecting the pursuit of self-exaltation and embracing kingdom greatness—the greatness that comes from pouring ourselves out for others.
Jesus teaches that true greatness costs you something:
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It costs time.
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It costs comfort.
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It costs control.
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It costs reputation.
But the return? Eternal reward. God is not impressed by platform, paycheck, or prestige. He is looking for servants—men who serve Him, serve their wives, serve their children, serve their brothers, serve their enemies.
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” —Matthew 23:11
If we want to be great in God’s Kingdom, we must become the servant of all. That means showing up when it’s inconvenient, stepping down when others step up, and laying down our lives like Jesus—because we love God, and we love the people He’s placed in our lives.
Men of God, this is our calling:
Not to be seen, but to be spent.
Not to climb, but to kneel.
Not to win, but to serve.
That’s greatness.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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What areas of your life are you still pursuing worldly greatness?
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Who is God calling you to serve more sacrificially this week?
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What can you lay down today to lift someone else up?
