For the Son of Man Himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mk.10:45) This quote of Jesus is a poignant reminder to all believers of their place and role in God's plan of salvation. The reward of eternal life is indeed attractive but are we willing to work for it? Don't we desire Easter Sunday without Good Friday and the Passion of the Lord?

This is nothing new. Even James and John negotiated for privileged places in Jesus' glory without really knowing what it entailed. They readily said that they could drink the cup that Jesus would drink and be baptised in the baptism the Lord would go through. Little did they realise that Jesus was referring to His suffering (Mt.26:39) and death. As they discovered later, the places on the left and right of Jesus belonged to the two thieves who were crucified with Him.

To be a servant in order to be the first among men runs contrary to the thinking of this world. God's kingdom precisely requires us to follow Christ's example of taking the lowest possible position in society as symbolised by His washing of the disciples' feet. Only with God's grace can we go against our human penchant to be served and choose the Christian way of unconditional love and service.