For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45.

The two disciples James and John had requested to sit on the right and on the left in Christ's coming kingdom. This created resentment and confusion among the other disciples. They were much displeased. Even in the presence of Christ, the struggle for self-esteem and personal position prevailed. Thus division developed among them. Once we set our eyes on ourselves and allow room for selfishness and pride, others are displeased and angered.

To be in the presence of Christ does not mean that all our problems of selfishness are automatically resolved. Many Christians presume that no effort is required to avail His grace and power. It is possible to go on an ego trip at any time. When we violate the unselfishness that Christian love requires, antagonism and controversy are the result.

Christ came to make us different. He performed fewer spectacular miracles at the end of His ministry than at the beginning. He made no defense of Himself. He trod the last road alone. No service was too mean or too long. He became the servant of all. He made no claim to greatness. He was meek and lowly in heart. For more than three years the disciples had lived with Him. They claimed to have forsaken all to follow Him. Then the devil of pride aroused. They could not see beyond themselves, even at the time when Christ humbled Himself to the death of the cross.

To follow Christ means that we do not seek praise and honor, from men, to receive attention and flattery. Christ had one destiny, to minister to others.

Christ speaks to those who are captives of self. If we think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we have need to study this text. Christ does not free us from pride and selfishness automatically. Only as we take the same road with Christ and die to self-will, when we seek no help from man but yield our claim to superiority and self-importance, do we become like Him. Let us not witness to ourselves, but to Jesus Christ our Lord. When all of us in the church are doing that we shall shake the world.