Reflections on Mark 10:42-45

Mark 10:42-45 NIV

You know that those 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.

Today, in Iran we can see leaders who lord it over their people. Some factions of the country’s leadership and Iranian terrorists face charges of plotting to kill today the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, here on American soil.

In other dark places of the world, local police turn their heads to drug trade, human trafficking and child exploitation. Governments belittle women. Evil policy and corrupt officials affect us stateside, at times, too.

Still, I’ve talked with a couple I know who fled to America as political refugees from a war-torn African country I will not cite specifically. They note our issues and legitimate concerns, but emphatically state that we remain in a far better position in this country. We look different here.

In this passage in Mark, we see a sharp contrast between what the worldly leaders and influencers default to in their leadership, and how God calls the followers of Jesus Christ to lead. We’re called to be different. “Not so with you,” the passage instructs.

I meditated on these verses during a long walk, carrying the verses written out on a note card, and that time brought the blessing of fresh insights and reminders — and some questions. I had wondered how effective my method would be, but God was present. And when I returned, and set out to write down our conversation, He helped me remember all He and I had talked about.

My Notes

V. 42 The verse opens, with “You know.” We as believers know the views of leadership are different for non-Christians, and the early church saw that in their political culture when the gospel of Mark was written. Our motivation and approach are supposed to be changed.

“Rulers over Gentiles lord it over them…” Those rulers then enjoyed having control and power, like radical Islamic leaders of today. (Iran) Gentile means non-Jew, generally speaking, but often the worship of other pagan gods came with that. We don’t worship the same God as the god of Islam.

As a follower of Christ, I should be strong in my knowledge that to deny Christ, is to deny God, because God is Christ, and Christ is God. The same thing goes for cults that deny the Holy Spirit is God. Those resulting religions and, in turn, the way they lead their people is different.

In verse 42, I wondered, what is the difference between a ruler and a high official? I would say an official may be more like a judge or a bureaucrat. Rulers, more like presidents, kings, prime ministers, even governors.

The phrase “exercise authority” stood out. These rulers and high officials lay down judgments against people, determine taxes and debts to be paid, things affecting a person’s reputation, maybe. Possibly the authority is abused and stretched – in Jesus’ time on Earth as human, and today in the U.S., and in courts in the Middle East, Asia, etc.

Verse 43

“Not so with you.” What a call to be different. This joy of being above someone for the sake of being above people is not the vision Jesus has for His church or for me.

“Instead,” God says. He’s calling me (and all people and leaders in the church) to replace thoughts of being the boss, and to choose a godly way of being someone’s leader, parent, manager, etc. The best alternative is the “instead” way of leading.

The verse continues, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…”

“Whoever” – No exceptions. Wants – If they or I want or desire leadership, what we might call big responsibilities, honor, or success, they, and I, need to be willing to follow the ideas in the vision this passage casts.

“Become” – We may not be great now, but could be. Growth may be a long process, or maybe something clicks quickly. And the great is as defined by God.

“Among you” – Out of your group – the 10 or those who would go to the disciples for leadership while Jesus was on earth, and after His ascension. It applies in our time, as well.

“Must” – Requirement

“Be your servant” – A potential leader is willing to help those over him or her as earning trust or responsibility, showing heart. Also, we can’t narrow down what the servanthood tasks are, because they involve reaching out to the body of Christ with help in many different forms.

Verse 44

“First” – Meaning maybe head of a local church or ministry. First = JESUS

 “Slave of all” -  Leaders are accountable to the whole local body or ministry, raising the local church or ministry up to bring glory to God. Jesus was a slave of all when He died for all of us. (We just need to accept it.)

Verse 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.”

This verse helped me keep my ego and attitude and perspective in check as a mom to young children. I often felt overwhelmed by so much maintenance, coated with sweet child-related blessings, too, of course. But remembering what Jesus gave up stepping down to Earth, and dying for me served as a gratitude reminder.

“Son of Man” – Jesus referencing Himself. Wondering if this implores us to remember His role as our Creator, too.

“Serve” – To teach, heal, love, save

“Give” – We didn’t and don’t  buy His act(s) of love in any way

“Ransom” – Hostage trade – one for all of humanity. We’ve been kidnapped by sin, Satan, temptations, and our own foolishness, at times. We just have to accept the trade, the gift Christ gave.

God spoke all that to me in an hour-long walk. He calls me to live it out as I lead as a mother, and in the church, wherever He may choose to put me, and as I live for Christ in my workplace and neighborhood. What a challenge of my heart, my mind and my actions — my being.

Faith and the Global Food Crisis

Hunger. On a global scale, this problem looms large. For the first time, in 2009, the number of hungry people in the world hit 1 billion. Then in September 2010, the UN reported a decline in that number for the first time in 15 years. But it didn’t go away, not at all.

Now, as we look around the world at food riots and unrest about food security in many regions, the problem may be growing more tangible to us. To me. 

Why do we need so much information before we reach out to help on scales that would astound, that would witness Christ in a practical, compassionate way? (Not that we’re doing nothing.)

It wasn’t always my dream to use my writing and communications talents to work in the agricultural industry. But for 16 years, that’s where my work has been concentrated. I’ve learned a lot along the way. And here I am, perhaps to be a voice in my circle of friends and acquaintances.

Working for a farm marketing organization, I see and hear a lot of information about crops, supply and demand for commodities and food situations globally. But you need to understand, I am not a broker or trader. I have no agricultural or ag business degrees. I’m no expert. Much of what I read, I honestly don’t fully understand.

Commodity Issues

But here’s some information. First, the world faced a rice shortage in 2008, now wheat is following. Russia has experienced drought, a big part of the problem for wheat supplies. The Brazilian soybean crop is not expected to be great, either. 

The game begins of countries replacing one crop with another for feed and food uses. Food grade is a higher quality than feed grade, because standards for human consumption are higher, of course. So, not everything is swappable, ultimately.

Also, in the U.S., cattle production is dropping, but it seems poultry production is replacing that protein source, though Americans, especially, generally still want their beef. Me, too! To some extent, these things cycle. Still, can you see that a lot is happening?

Organic or conventional production?
Then there’s the natural food equation. Organic food is great for people who need it, and who need special food sources, because of allergies and sensitivities, and just a desire to support that type of production.

But, conventional farmers take excellent care of their livestock and land as well, with a deep sense of responsibility to respect the land and livestock. Besides, if they mess up their animals or land, they won’t make any money or have decent land or healthy livestock, anyway. Conventional grain production results in higher yields, better to meet worldwide demand.

Not everyone agrees on the depth of the problem, and many factors feed into hunger. Corrupt governments (huge issue), transportation difficulties, and overconsumption by wealthy countries, to name a few.

Even the demand for corn and soybeans for bio-energy sources adds into the equation. My dad always said he was a farmer to feed people, not to provide energy, but I sure don’t blame farmers for trying to earn a living, and help provide for our fuel needs. He doesn’t, either.

Photo Title: Starved Girl. Public domain photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Global Concerns
So, this hunger situation hasn’t gone away. Logically, these crop and livestock situations around the world matter for hungry children in Algeria, where food riots have happened this year, and they happened in places like Haiti and Mozambique back in 2008, too. 

Demonstrations happened in Oman in mid-January and have occurred in Yemen and Tunisia, and an Iowa grain analyst said after Egypt (The autocracy is not the only issue there.), Saudi Arabia could be next. China is a problem, with a per capita income of $7,400 per year. Poverty causes hunger, too. 

What is up with our world and the food crisis?

Is it hard for most of us in the U.S. to understand, because all we’re feeling is a pinch in the pocketbook? Not to downplay the problems for those of us who are truly needy here in the States.

Only God knows the future when it comes to this food crisis. And what role is judgment playing in this? I’ll leave that discussion for another day.

It is frightening, if we allow ourselves to forget Who is in control. The Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7 NLT

My dear family of Christ-followers, let's put the power, love and self-discipline we're given to work for good. Hopefully, our love and compassion are provoked. Jesus modeled such tenderness and mercy. We can follow His example with those same qualities, and add to them the good stewardship and generosity we’re called to live.

Q. So, what are we to do?

A. Help.

Here are a few ways to help:

https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/global-food-crisis.htm

https://www.rca.org/giveprojects (My denomination.)

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/food_crisis_in_niger/

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/a_harvest_of_blessings/

The best part of helping through a church or Christian ministry is the possibility that people will so respect our help, that they will want to know our motivation for helping.

Q. What’s our motivation?

A. Jesus

Here’s another blog about earning a hearing of the gospel of Christ. http://mychangedmind.com/?p=1267)

We can help, too, by praying. Specifically about issues detailed here, and about what we see in the news about hunger, food riots and related issues.  We can pray Scripture. We can pray for salvation. And certainly we help by praying for godly leadership worldwide, so that we can “lead peaceful and quiet lives.”

By helping the ministries mentioned in their efforts, we can help nursing mothers, young children and babies, teenagers, the elderly, young couples. Real people who are just trying to live. Each person we help, is a person who matters to God.



©Helene Bergren. All Rights Reserved.