Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

The American work ethic, study hard, work hard, get ahead; I am sure you have heard that. What Jesus is saying here flies in the face of what we have been told. Or does it?

Jesus is talking about service not work. Did you think they are the same thing? Once again we must re-examine our worldly definition in the light of Kingdom living. How God differs in call to service and call to work are not as the world would have you think. Begin with the motivation and see how they differ. In Mark 9:35 the motivation is being first. First at what?

In verse 34 we learn that they were disputing over who would have the greatest reputation, a legacy of works which would find a place in history. They wanted to be remembered. That’s a worldly viewpoint which they did not wish to admit to Jesus, which was also stated in verse 34.

Jesus was right in pointing out that if you want to be remembered by man, you must do something to move man’s heart, to serve their needs. But what if you want to be remembered by God the Father? Is it not reasonable to think that you should serve God? But how can I, man, serve God?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

God works through you by obedience of faith. It is God who works and God who gets the glory. Motivation of the heart is everything in both service and works.