Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Mike Howells from Lakeville, MN. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You’re helping spread God’s Word to hearts that are hungry for truth. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:35-45:

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:35-45

They asked for thrones. Jesus pointed them to a cross.

James and John want glory seats. They want to have status next to Jesus in His kingdom. But they don’t understand what kind of King he is—or what kind of kingdom he’s bringing.

Jesus gently pushes back. “You don’t know what you’re asking.” He speaks of a cup of suffering. A baptism of pain. He’s not headed for a throne just yet. First, he’ll serve. Then, he’ll bleed. Last, he’ll give his life. And then Jesus delivers one of the most explicit mission statements in all of Scripture. His mission. One worth pursuing that's better than a seat on the right and left of the throne:

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In a world obsessed with climbing the ladder, Jesus sees his mission differently. The path to true greatness is not up—it’s down.

Down into humility.
Down into service.
Down into sacrifice.

And here’s the irony: the greatest person in the room is telling the secret to descending into greatness.

So, stop chasing a name for yourself and start serving the Name above all names. Don’t ask, “How high can I rise?” Instead ask, “How low can I go—for Jesus?”

#ServeLikeJesus, #TrueGreatness, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What are some subtle ways you chase status or recognition?
2. Why do you think Jesus connects suffering with greatness?
3. How does Jesus redefine leadership and authority in this passage?
4. What is one practical way you can serve someone today?

DO THIS:

Serve someone today without needing thanks. Just do it—for Jesus.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, I confess that I chase status and recognition. Help me embrace true greatness—humble, sacrificial, and patterned after you. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Jesus, Son of God” by Chris Tomlin.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Daniel Guertin from Stillwater, MN. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping get God's Word to people in every season of life. This one's for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:32-34:

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise." — Mark 10:32-34

Jesus is leading the way up to Jerusalem—and he knows exactly what's waiting there. Condemnation. Betrayal. Mocking. Beatings. Crucifixion. And yet, he keeps walking ahead of the others.

Burn that image into your minds. Most people run from pain. We try to escape it and remove it. Jesus walks steadily toward it, knowing it all, and endures to the end. He doesn't avoid the cross. He embraces it because love leads him forward. His pace isn't reluctant. It's resolved.

This is the third time in Mark's Gospel that Jesus predicts his suffering and death. But this time, the details are even more vivid. He doesn't sugarcoat it. He doesn't leave it vague. He tells his followers plainly what's about to happen. And still, we see they don't fully get it.

But Jesus does!

He's not caught off guard. He's not a victim of circumstance. He's the Son of God on a mission. He is determined to redeem. Jesus knew—and still went. He knew the cost. He knew the pain. But he went… for you.

Following Jesus means walking toward discomfort, not away from it. But that's the way of Christ. It's what we are called to do. To follow him anywhere and everywhere. Even though we don't know the suffering that lies ahead, we still follow. But we don't walk alone. We follow the One who went first—and who walked through death to bring us life.

So, when you feel afraid of what lies ahead, remember this: Jesus has already walked that road—and He walks it with you now. God, the road we travel today is tough. It's filled with confusion, pain, and suffering. Some of it results from our sin, and some from the sins of others in this world. It's difficult to walk through it and keep following you. But we trust you and your guidance through the pain. In your name, we pray. Amen.

#JesusLedTheWay, #CourageToFollow, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What emotions does the image of Jesus “walking ahead” stir in you?
2. Why do we sometimes hesitate to follow Jesus when the road looks difficult?
3. How does knowing Jesus faced the cross change how you face your fears?
4. What’s one step of obedience you’ve been avoiding?

DO THIS:

Write down one area where you feel afraid to follow Jesus. Then ask Him to lead you forward with courage.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, you knew the cross was coming—and you still chose to walk toward it. Help me trust you when obedience feels hard or costly. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Lead Me to the Cross."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to David Freeman from Palm Coast, FL. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. You're helping people everywhere live with authentic faith. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 10:23-31:

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”— Mark 10:23-31

Jesus speaks a sobering fact: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Not because riches are wrong. But because riches are deceptive. Wealth, comfort, and success—all can offer an illusion. An illusion of control, security, and self-made power. But these are shadows, not substance. And many of us, even those without great wealth, fall for the same illusions. We often cling to:

• Titles for identity.
• Relationships for validation.
• Savings for security.
• Performance for peace.

And yet, when these things are threatened, we freak out, because what we thought was firm was faulty, what was solid was shifting sand. And Jesus wants to set us free from this illusion. Not to take away our joy, but to free us from the illusion so we can experience the freedom of greater joy.

Then Peter exclaims as he beats his chest, “We’ve left everything for you!” And Jesus reassures his statement, even though he knows his own words will test him. Peter has not left everything because a rooster is yet to crow. He was still clinging to his ideas about Jesus and his security, safety, and significance, which is why Jesus explained again, "The first will be last. And the last will be first."

Stop clinging to things that pretend to be saviors. Your status, your stuff, your success—none of them can save you; only Jesus can. Let go of the illusions, and grab hold of what’s real. True security is never found in what you secure, but in the One who saves and secures your salvation.

#LetGoAndTrust, #FaithOverComfort, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What illusion of control are you tempted to believe?
2. Why do comfort and success often feel more trustworthy than faith?
3. Where is God asking you to trust Him more deeply today?
4. What’s something you need to release so you can follow Jesus more fully?

DO THIS:

Identify one illusion you’re tempted to trust—then name it in prayer and replace it with faith in Jesus.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, open my eyes to the things I rely on instead of you. Help me let go of what’s false so I can live by true faith. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“More Than Anything” by Natalie Grant.