Daily Bible Plan - Mark 10 (Pt.3)
- FCC Communications Team
- Nov 16
- 3 min read
17. November 2025
Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi
Theme: Unleashed Through Servanthood and Sacrificial Followership - Mark 10:32 - 45
Fortified City Church / Love City Church / Basel French Assembly / Luzern City Fellowship / PIWC Bern / Global prayer family
Introduction
Before we dive into today’s devotion, I want to kindly ask something from you.
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Before we dive deeper into Mark 10:32–45, let’s reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus and be unleashed through servanthood.
Jesus Walks Ahead — The King Who Leads by Example
(Mark 10:32–34)
As Jesus and His disciples journeyed toward Jerusalem, He walked ahead of them. The One who knew betrayal, mockery, suffering, and death awaited Him still moved forward in obedience.
This is Kingdom leadership—leading by example, even when the road is painful.
Lesson: To be unleashed for Kingdom impact, we must follow God even when obedience is uncomfortable. Comfort never produces transformation; obedience does.
Misaligned Ambition — The Request of James and John
(Mark 10:35–40)
James and John approached Jesus privately, asking:
“Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left, in Your glory.”
Their request reveals a common struggle: desiring position over purpose. Peter had asked earlier, “We have left all—what shall we have?” Now James and John ask, “What position will we have?”
Key insight: Reward is guaranteed by God, but placement is His to give.
Offense Among Kingdom Citizens:
When the other disciples heard this, they were offended (Mark 10:41). This reflects a Kingdom reality:
• Offense arises where ambition is not surrendered.
• Jealousy hides in hearts of immature disciples.
• Comparison blinds people to God’s unique purpose in their lives.
Jesus’ Correction: He responded, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
In other words:
• Can you suffer as I suffer?
• Can you endure what I must endure?
• Can you pay the price for the position you desire?
Eternal principle: Promotion in the Kingdom is not seized, it is prepared by God.
Kingdom Leadership Redefined
(Mark 10:41–44)
When jealousy arose, Jesus redefined leadership:
“Whoever desires to be great must be your servant.”
In church life today, many desire honor and visibility, but leadership comes with costs:
• Late nights
• Prayer burdens
• Sacrifice
• Responsibility
• Accountability
• Criticism
Lesson: Titles are not crowns—they are assignments of service.
Envy is foolish in the Kingdom. If we understood the weight leaders carry, we would pray for them, not desire their position for honor.
Kingdom principle: The way up is down. To lead, first serve. (Ephesians 4:11–12 reinforces this: leaders exist to equip, not to be elevated.)
The Son of Man — The Model of True Greatness
(Mark 10:45)
Jesus concludes with the ultimate leadership principle:
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
If Jesus served and sacrificed, His followers must do the same. True Kingdom advancement requires:
• Serving others
• Sacrificing comfort
• Giving life in love
Conclusion
Mark 10:32–45 challenges us to examine our hearts:
• Do we desire influence without sacrifice?
• Position without obedience?
• Leadership without service?
• Reward without responsibility?
May God align our hearts with Christ’s example:
• Walking ahead in obedience
• Serving with humility
• Loving without jealousy
• Leading without pride
• Advancing the Kingdom through genuine servanthood
This is true greatness.
Amen
Woww it’s just a blessing to have leaders who really take their time to put those devotionals together. Because it’s not easy.
Every devotional is wonderful and heartfilling in its own way. Everyday I learn more about the Character of Christ and His people.
As we all read Leadership is not about position, but service. It comes with sacrifice.
Thank you Pastor and everyone who participates in those devotionals🙌❤️🔥
Comfort never produces transformation; obedience does.
Wow This Sentence really hit me hard! Especially in this generation, people like to be comfortable all the Time. But Jesus didn't even have that comfort, but still he obeyed always! This reminded me again, how important obedience to God is and that picking up your Cross daily means, to sometimes step out of your Comfort-Zone
Thank you Pastor
This devotion really calls us to examine our own hearts.
Sometimes we want status, praise or a certain position; But we have to ask ourselves if we can also carry the burden that comes with it.
Let it be our YCL, our pastor, all elders and deacons.
Their position is their service.
The goal is not to be visible, or to be as comfortable as possible;
the goal is to serve Jesus and to advance the kingdom of God.
If even God himself came down to this world to serve, what prevents us from doing so?
Let us test our hearts in everything, so that we can follow Jesus with all that is within us; Not to obtain a position,…
This reflection makes my heart beat again, wow…❤️🔥
When I think about this passage, I am moved by how Jesus walks toward suffering with purpose, while His disciples walk beside Him filled with confusion, ambition, and fear. I see myself in them. I want to be close to Jesus, and yet I sometimes long for recognition, comfort, or control. But Jesus redefines greatness: it’s not about being seen, *but about serving,* not about rising higher, *but about kneeling lower.*
In a world that has taught me to take care of myself first, Jesus invites me to offer myself instead. His path is a quiet yet courageous self-giving a kind of leadership not shaped by power but by the pouring out…