Thirty years ago a friend of the family, Kristin, shared a story as part of a children’s sermon, and true to a good illustration it has stuck with me for thirty years. Kristin told the story of this caterpillar, one caterpillar among millions. But this caterpillar, Henry, was different. Henry was determined to rise above the rest. One day he came across this ladder that seemed to rise up out of the mass of caterpillars- it was his way out. He saw that some of the other caterpillars were climbing this ladder, and he was determined to climb it, too - not just to climb it, but to be the caterpillar who made it to the top.

Although Henry couldn’t see exactly where the top was, he knew he wanted to be there, and he worked and worked. Soon he found himself passing all the other caterpillars. And sure enough one day he arrived at the top of the ladder only to find that it didn’t really go anywhere. It was just a ladder that someone left leaning against a wall. Imagine Henry’s disappointment when he learned that the ladder he’d worked so hard to climb really led nowhere.

So it is with many people today. They are trying very hard to climb the ladder of success. They are putting in horrendous hours, making the sacrifices they think are needed to make it to the top no matter what it takes to have that corner office job, to be the one who makes the decisions, to be the right-hand man, and in doing so receive the big salary, the big house, the electronic devices, and all the leisure time and retirement toys.

In our Gospel lesson today we see James and John. They have given up family, friends, comforts and a regular life to follow Jesus. They have begun to think of themselves as Jesus’ right-hand men. And their mother, like all mothers, wants to see her sons get what they’ve earned - the pay off! On bended knee she asks Jesus for a favor: Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom. We all know it Jesus. You are the Messiah; you’ve come to claim the throne of David. Israel will be restored.

What is the reaction of the others? When the others heard about this they were indignant with the two brothers. I believe they were in indignant not because they had it right- not because they understood the mission- but in their sinfulness they were angry because they felt they deserved positions on the right and on the left in this new kingdom. They, too, had given it all up and suffered just as much as James and John had to follow this Jesus.

So, too, it is with many of us. We work hard in church and for the church, and for Jesus, and we do it for all the wrong reasons. Often our work isn’t a response to all that Jesus has freely done for us and the grace that He pours out upon us in baptism, His Supper, and His Word. No! Just like James and John and the others, in our sinfulness we seek to collect on our works- I’ve worked hard to earn God’s favor, to get a better seat in heaven; some how all I’ve done should ensure that when the chips are down God will answer my prayer in my time and how I see best. Yes, look at all I’ve done - God will owe me one…What have we done that the Lord owes us anything? (Job 38) (Romans 4.3-5)

And Jesus called them all together and said. You’ve got it all wrong. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. I didn’t climb down from heaven to climb some man-made ladder of success. Even if I did establish a kingdom in Jerusalem like you want, where would it lead? You’d climb the ladder of success only to die and fall into a pit of everlasting darkness and despair where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Even if you are content to live out your lives in quiet solitude, and even if you are content with your lot in life, apart from the work I’ve come to do - you will all perish. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

We see that service in Jesus, first, not climbing up the ladder, but down it. He who was from heaven came down from heaven. He was born of a virgin, born in the humblest of means, heralded by shepherds and sung to by goats. Being fully God He still did not rise above it all but instead climbed down to associate with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, beggars, and sinners.

There was only one ladder that He chose to climb, one mountain that He was determined to make it to the top of. That mountain was the one called Golgotha. He fought His way to the top of that mountain carrying the load of our sins- our sins of chasing after worldly gain and earthly prizes, our sins of arrogance toward God and our indifference toward others. It would have been easier to turn back, to give it up. Through the lips of sinful men Satan whispered, “Why bother; look at these people you are giving your life to save. They hate You, mock You, ignore You and jeer You.” And still Jesus fought His way to the top, the top that mattered.

When He got to the top He climbed up the cross. Understand this- they didn’t crucify Jesus. No man could take His life; no He freely and willingly laid it down. He climbed up on that cross- stood on those nails, poured out His life’s blood to atone for our sins. He who knew no sin became sin for us. By His sacrifice we were declared righteous in God’s sight. And atop that cross He died.

Jesus climbed the only ladder that really matters. Jesus climbed up on the cross and died for the sins of the whole world and on the third day He rose victorious from the dead. The fruit of His labor was that death could not hold Him, and it will not hold those who believe in Him. For it is written, He who believes in Me will live, even though He dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. (John 11.25-26) Our risen Jesus boldly appeared to many and after forty days He ascended to heaven from there He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Back in the summer of 1976 I was privileged to spend a summer in Fairbanks, Alaska when the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline was being built. People poured in from all over the country to be a part of its construction. I remember one man, a lawyer, who had given up his practice to work as a day laborer, he explained why he was there by saying that he wanted to be a part of something monumental, something that would be talked about for years to come. He saw himself on the frontier of something bigger than himself.

There is an undertaking that is bigger and more lasting- after all, the pipeline won't last forever. There is a work that is even more monumental, a work that will last and has eternal significance: It is to work in service to our risen Savior, to labor in the harvest fields of our Risen Christ. To be like Paul, Peter, James, John and all the others who saw and heard of the risen Christ- to go boldly and tell others that salvation is found under no other name, no other work, atop no other ladder, no other cross.

Is it a frontier out there? Yes! Even America is struggling to remain a truly Christian nation. All around are people who despite their outward appearance- no matter how high they’ve climbed on the ladder of success or how content they are with their rung on the ladder of life- apart from Christ they are perishing.

We have the awesome opportunity to serve Him who first served us, to be workers in the Harvest fields. But Pastor what can I do? First, study the Word- be in the Word daily. It will continually transform you, and you’ll have something to share- God works through that Word. Second, be in regular fellowship and worship with other Christians. Let the Hope you have be evident to others and this will draw them in like a moth is drawn to a flame- to the Light. Third, pray- asking God for opportunities to share the Hope you have with others. They will be there. Finally, live out your Christianity. Your life may be the first Bible that people see. Live as one who relishes grace and cherishes God’s Words and promises. Amen.