Building God’s Kingdom Through Service
Today, we gather to reflect on the meaningful message found in the Gospel of Mark,
chapter 10. This scripture asks us important questions: Why did James and John want
power and honor? And how can we build God’s Kingdom by living a life of service
today? Let’s take a closer look at this passage.
In the passage, James and John ask Jesus for special places of honor. They wanted to
sit at His right and left in glory. But their request wasn’t just about where they would
sit—it showed a deep human desire for power and recognition. Jesus responded by
saying, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I
drink?” (Mark 10:38). Through this, Jesus wanted them to understand a deeper spiritual
truth, one that goes beyond their immediate wishes.
James and John thought of Jesus as a king in this world. Many Israelites at that time
believed the Messiah would be a political leader who would free them from Roman rule.
James and John expected Jesus to become king, and they wanted high positions in His
government. They were not thinking about the spiritual glory of God’s Kingdom but
about worldly power and honor. This shows that they were still influenced by worldly
values instead of understanding the true path of discipleship, which is about humility
and service.
The actions of the disciples make us think about the relationship between the Church
and worldly power. It is also helpful to look back at how the Church has been connected
to political power in history. Let’s take an example from modern Korean history. In the
1940s, Protestants made up only about 1% of the population in Korea. However, in
1948, around 40% of the first cabinet members and 20% of the National Assembly
members were Protestants, including the president. This shows how closely Christianity
was tied to the politics of that time.
Especially through its connection with anti-communism, Christianity formed a deep
relationship with political power. In this situation, Christianity became a way for people
to rise in social status and gain political influence. Christians, who spoke English well
and had close connections with powerful foreign countries, naturally found themselves
at the center of political power. This strong connection drew many people to the Church,
and as a result, Christianity in Korea became a religion that was closely linked to
political power.
The early Church also experienced a change like this. Christians, once persecuted by
the Roman Empire, gained freedom through the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. About 70
years later, Christianity became the Roman Empire’s official religion. This granted the
Church significant power, but as it grew more powerful, it started to move away from
Jesus’ teachings. The Church’s role as salt and light, as Jesus called it, began to fade
as it pursued worldly power and wealth.
Even today, the Church faces similar challenges. We are called to show the Kingdom of
God to the world, but sometimes we get caught up in worldly values and forget about
love and justice. Jesus told His disciples, “It is not so among you” (Mark 10:43). The
Church should not follow the ways of this world. We live in this world, but we are called
to live according to Jesus’ teachings, guided by His truth, not by the world’s standards.
In response to the disciples’ request, Jesus gathered them to teach them a new way of
thinking. He said, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).
Instead of seeking power and control, Jesus calls us to follow a path of service and
sacrifice. This challenges us to be humble and to serve others selflessly.
In today’s world, acts of kindness are sometimes met with suspicion. People often think
there must be a hidden reason for someone’s good deeds. In a society where
everything seems like a transaction, values like “service” and “sacrifice” can feel out of
place. But Jesus calls us to live differently. He asks us to remember our true identity as
Christians and to practice the values of God’s Kingdom: unconditional love and true
service.
Service means more than just being humble—it means dedicating ourselves to others.
Jesus said that He came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). The ultimate
example of service is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He gave His life for
many. This is the same calling we are given. As followers of Christ, we are called to
serve others and to live out Christ’s love every day.
This passage makes us think about how we can live out God’s Kingdom in the world.
James and John wanted worldly glory and power, but Jesus showed them the way of
service and sacrifice. This is the opposite of what the world values. The world seeks
power and control over others, but God’s Kingdom is built on humility and service.
As disciples of Jesus, we must live lives that reflect His teachings, not the ways of the
world. By offering small acts of kindness in our daily lives and actively helping those
around us, we can begin to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. The Church should not
be swayed by worldly values but should follow Christ’s example of service and sacrifice.
When we do this, we will be building God’s Kingdom in this world.
The life of service is not easy. The world still chases after power and fame, and we will
face these temptations too. But we must respond to God’s call and choose to follow the
path Jesus walked. This path may require sacrifice, and it may not seem important to
the world, but it is the path that leads to true life and joy. It is the path that leads to the
glory of God’s Kingdom.
Let us take this message to heart and commit ourselves to walking the path of Jesus in
our lives. May God’s Kingdom be made real on this earth through us.
Amen.