“Say ‘No To Inordinate Ambition!'”

“Say ‘No To Inordinate Ambition!'”(Mk.10:35-45).
Two brothers, James and John, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” When Jesus asked to know what they wanted, they replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.”
Permit me to say this was an inordinate ambition; not only for James and John, but the ten as well!
Merriam Webster online says “ambition, aspiration, pretension mean strong desire for advancement. ambition applies to the desire for personal advancement or preferment and may suggest equally a praiseworthy or an inordinate desire…”
Meanwhile inordinate means, “not within proper or reasonable limits; immoderate; excessive…”
According to Brutus Caesar deserved to die because he was ambitious. But in his moving speech at Caesar’s funeral Mark Anthony says ambition should be made of sterner stuff…”
Perhaps progress is made by ambitious people. And in a way ambition is ingrained in all of us. Ask a full class to nominate a Class perfect by a show of hand and you realise that perhaps each person thinks that s/he deserves the post. As such, nobody would be nominated as everyone expects someone to nominate her/him.
Being by the right and left of Jesus in his glory are positions of prestige, honour and authority; having the right to order and command.
Jesus knew that was what the disciples yearned for. He had to call them and schooled them on kingdom leadership. The teaching is for us too. And this is very timely in the PCC as reorganization is going on in the Church.
Jesus is telling us, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials excercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”
Jesus used himself as an example of what he expects of us. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Christian leadership must be the difference; because Jesus has overturned the value structure of the world. Disciple leadership is characterized by humble and loving service; and the readiness to die in defense of truth, justice and equity and equality for all.
The quest for a leadership which is characterized by humble and loving service is not motivated by “inordinate ambition!”
Prayer: Holy Spirit guide us to choose leaders whose drive is for humble and loving service. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.