The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 25 July 2026
Daily Fountain Devotional 25 July 2026 TOPIC: True Greatness
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39 They said to Him, “We are able.”
So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
Today is dedicated to one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles – James, “the Great.” He was one of Jesus’ distinguished apostles and the only apostle, whose martyrdom was recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:1-2). James the Apostle recorded many outstanding achievements, and this is the reason he has “the Great” attached to his name to differentiate him from one other apostle who also bore the same name. The Bible recorded that he was among the three apostles who were present with Jesus Christ at the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9:2) and the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Of course, he was always with Jesus Christ at the key moments of His ministry.
True greatness does not come easily! A price must be paid! This was the message of Jesus Christ to these two disciples in the passage we read today. Their desires for the sitting positions revealed that they had not really understood the secret of true greatness, though they had been walking with God. Jesus had given them the guidelines for true greatness they had to be ready to pay the great price He had paid. Do you want to be truly great in your life – spiritually, academically, economically or professionally? Get ready to pay the true price! There is true price for true greatness.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to pay the price for true greatness in life and destiny. Amen!