In this verse, Jesus is responding to James and John who are plotting on how to sit one on the left side and the other on the right of Jesus when he sits on the throne of the kingdom. They are seeking positions of power and authority. They would like to be at the front of the line. They wanted to say, "I am second." But here, to say they are second would be really like saying they are first. It's a popular thing these days to say, "I am second"... to Jesus. Does that mean we're first among the non-messiahs? While that's just a playful spin on words, it is here Jesus says to James and John and the others that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. "Second" seems to high.
Readings: Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22
