Key Thought

Here is the heart of our Hero given in one simple statement. We are to serve and sacrifice for others. It is our legacy. It is our life. It is our Lord's example. We were bought and brought to freedom by the ransom price he paid. We are now called to follow his example and live his life in our world.

Today's Prayer

O Father in heaven, use my life to your glory and to the blessing of others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us." Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The sons answered, "You will have glory {in your kingdom}. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left." Jesus said, "You don't understand what you are asking. Can you accept the kind of suffering that I must have ? Can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?" The sons answered, "Yes, we can!" Jesus said to the sons, "You will suffer the same things that I will suffer. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have. But I cannot choose the person that will sit at my right or my left. There are some people that will have those places. Those places are prepared for them." The other ten followers heard this. They became angry with James and John. Jesus called all the followers together. Jesus said, "The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority over the people. But it should not be that way with you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant. If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. But the Son of Man came to serve other people. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people."

Related Scripture Readings

God sent {someone} to rescue his people. God made his Agreement {with them} that would continue forever. God's name is amazing and holy.

Each of you received a spiritual gift {from God}. God has shown you his grace (kindness) in many different ways. And you are like servants who are responsible for using God's gifts. So be good servants and use your gifts to serve each other. The person who speaks should speak words from God. The person who serves should serve with the strength that God gives. You should do these things so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

You know that {in the past} you were living in a worthless way. You got that way of living from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that way of living. You were bought, but not with things that ruin like gold or silver. But you were bought with the precious blood (death) of Christ—a pure and perfect lamb. Christ was chosen before the world was made. But he was shown {to the world} in these last times for you.

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