Pastor Tom Grieb continues our Lenten/Easter series with a message entitled "Lay Down Your Pride."

Pride and self-interest always seem to be a driving force in this life.  The two, though, if given full reign, will always trip us up in the end.  Proverbs 16:8 says that “pride goes before the fall.”  History is full of individuals who let their pride get in the way and their pride eventually led to their demise.

James and John were two of Christ’s disciples.  In fact, they were a part of his inner circle.  In their pride and their desire to seek their own interests at the expense of others, they had the audacity one day to ask Jesus if they would be given places of honor once his Kingdom was established.  They wanted one to sit at Christ’s left and the other at his right.  Jesus took the opportunity to instruct them and the rest of the disciples about service and how that was the way to greatness.

“Instead,” said Jesus, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”  (Mark 10:43-44)