When we seek to serve others. October 17, 2021. The Rev. Kathleen M. Sturges

 

Mark 10:35-45

Salespeople like to say that everyone’s favorite radio station is WIIFM (pronounced Whiff- em). In case you don’t know it, WIIFM is an acronym that stands for “What’s In It For Me?” The assumption that salespeople make, and most other people for that matter, is that people are always motivated to act in their own best self-interest.

We see WIIFM at play in our gospel reading this morning. As the story opens, Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem all the while telling his disciples that torment and death await him there. But this is hard to hear. So in a tone deaf response the brother disciples, James and John speak up. “Teacher,” they say, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Now, that’s bold - and rather offensive and totally full of WIIFM. Yet Jesus responds with patience and even some curiosity, “What is it you want me to do for you?” he asks. Without hesitation the brothers reply, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Basically, it’s a power grab. They are seeking special status, pride of place.

It’s easy for us to gasp. Or laugh. Or dismiss these two as self-seeking arrogant fools. But Jesus does none of these things. Instead, he takes their request seriously and engages in conversation that is compassionate rather than condemning.

And to be fair, as ridiculously self-centered and off track as this request is, James and John do get a few things right. First, they place their full faith in the right person. Undaunted by Jesus’ gloomy predictions of suffering and death, they really believe that Jesus will ultimately prevail. They’ve put all of their eggs in the Jesus basket. And in addition to that, they are enthusiastic about the reign of God. They want Jesus’ kingdom to come in all of its glory and remake the world. And finally, they ask. They come to Jesus with who they are and what they want. Is the request tacky? Yes. Is it borne of ignorance? Yes. Are the motives behind the request selfish? Yes. And yet that doesn’t stop they from coming to Jesus and asking. They engage in a real relationship with complete honesty. And there must be something about this authentic, unvarnished that Jesus cherishes because remember these two are part of Jesus’ closest circle.

But for all that they get right, there is one key thing that James and John get wrong. And it’s easiest to see when we contrast their “What’s in it for me?” demand with the question Jesus asks in return. It’s really the question he’s always asking, “What is it you want me to do for you?” Not, “Here’s what I want,” or “Here’s what I’m entitled to,” but rather, “I am here to serve. How can I serve you?”

Because what these disciples, and dare I say we disciples, so often fail to understand is that the way to glory is through service. It’s through letting go of our sense of entitlement and privilege and instead entitling and privileging others. Instead of being moved by the WIIFM factor, the question, “What’s in it for me?” Jesus tells us - and more importantly shows us - that true greatness is found in when we ask, “How can I serve you?”

On the surface of our lives we may resist this, but deep down don’t we already know that? For God’s spirit dwelling in us longs to serve. And although some cynics may say that’s not the case - that we are always motivated by self-interest - there’s plenty of research that suggests otherwise.

One example comes from psychologist and podcaster Adam Grant and his colleague David Hoffman. Back in 2011, these two men ran a study that looked at the hand washing behavior of doctors. Now doctors well know that hand washing is key in the prevention of spreading germs. But despite that knowledge, at least ten years ago, doctors were reported to wash their hands only about half as often as they should have. So, in an effort to see if they could motivate more hand washing, the researchers tried two different approaches. One appealed to WIIFM, “What’s in it for me?” So this group of doctors saw signs that read, “Hand hygiene protects you from catching diseases.” The other group of doctors were exposed to slightly different appeal that was patient focused. Their signs said, “Hand hygiene protects patients from catching diseases.” So the difference in messaging was a single word – “you” vs. “patients.”

Now what do you think? Did either sign make a difference? It actually did! It turns out that the WIIFM sign - the one that reminded doctors that handwashing protected them - didn’t change the doctors’ behavior at all. But with the patient focused sign - the one that emphasized that handwashing protected patients - that message resulted in a 45% increase in hand washing!

The study suggested that patient focused sign worked because most people don’t become doctors to make lots of money. Those are nice by-products often but not the core motivation. Usually, people get into healthcare because they want to help others. They desire to serve. And, of course, this doesn’t just apply to doctors. Teachers certainly don’t go into their profession to cash in. Neither do a host of others.  

All of us, no matter who we are or what we do - whether it be professionally or personally, live from our truest selves, our best selves when we seek to serve others. Yes, we all get off track. We can all act entitled. We are quite capable of being self-seeking rather than self-giving. Like the brother disciples, James and John, we are complicated folk. We can get some things really right while getting other things terribly wrong. Yet Jesus is patient and compassionate - not condemning. He is always calling us back to who we truly are. And in whose image we are made. A God of self-giving love. A God who shows us over and over again that the question that truly matters in this world isn’t “What’s in it for me?” But rather, “What can I do for you? How can I serve?” Perhaps if we had that on a sign in front of us, we, too, could improve by at least 45%! Or maybe it starts by letting these words sink deep into our souls, Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant...For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.