FEBRUARY 15 SERMON: “THE DRUM MAJOR INSTINCT”

Text: Mark 10:35–45

This morning I want to preach from a message that was first powerfully articulated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called “The Drum Major Instinct.” I am not borrowing his words, but I am building on the biblical truth he drew from Mark 10 — that deep desire in all of us to be first, to be seen, to matter — and how Jesus redeems that desire by turning greatness into service.

James and John came to Jesus with an unusual request. They wanted seats of honor. One on the right. One on the left. They wanted proximity to power. They wanted prominence. They wanted position.

And if we are honest this morning — we understand them.

There is something within all of us that wants to be first. Something that wants recognition. Something that wants to be seen. That drive, that push, that yearning — Dr. King called it the drum major instinct.

It is the desire to lead the parade.

It is the desire to be out front.

It is the desire for distinction.

Now here is what is important — that instinct is not inherently evil. God put within human beings a desire for significance. A desire to matter. A desire to achieve.

But like fire, it must be controlled.

Like electricity, it must be directed.

Or it will burn down the house.

I. The Perversion of the Drum Major Instinct

When the drum major instinct becomes distorted, it produces arrogance.

It says:

“I am better.”

“My group is superior.”

“My race is chosen above all others.”

“My class deserves more dignity than yours.”

And when that instinct moves from the heart into systems — it becomes racism.

It becomes exploitation.

It becomes injustice wrapped in self-importance.

Wars are fought because of corrupted drum major instinct.

Church splits happen because of corrupted drum major instinct.

Nations rise and fall because of corrupted drum major instinct.

People will kill to be first.

People will lie to be first.

People will crush others to be first.

But Jesus never condemned the desire for greatness — He redefined it.

II. Jesus Redefines Greatness

In Mark 10:43–44, Jesus says in essence:

If you want to be great, be a servant.

If you want to be first, be last.

If you want prominence, find it in serving others.

Jesus takes the drum major instinct and turns it upside down.

He does not say, “Don’t be great.”

He says, “Be great in love.”

He does not say, “Don’t lead.”

He says, “Lead by serving.”

And here is the beauty of it:

Everybody can be great.

You don’t need a college degree to serve.

You don’t need wealth to serve.

You don’t need influence to serve.

You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.

The world measures greatness by applause.

Heaven measures greatness by sacrifice.

III. Dangerous Unselfishness

Dr. King often illustrated this with the Good Samaritan.

The Jericho Road was dangerous. Bandits hid in the shadows.

The priest saw the wounded man and asked “If I stop, what will happen to me?”

The Levite saw him and asked, “If I stop, what will happen to me?”

But the Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop, what will happen to him?”

That is dangerous unselfishness.

That is Christlike love.

That is the drum major instinct redeemed.

The instinct that once sought superiority now seeks service.

The instinct that once demanded recognition now seeks righteousness.

IV. The Proper Eulogy

Near the end of his life, Dr. King said something profoundly humbling.

He said, “When you speak of me, don’t mention my awards. Don’t mention my honors. Don’t mention my degrees. Say that I tried to love somebody. Say that I tried to feed the hungry. Say that I tried to clothe the naked. Say that I tried to visit those in prison. Say that I tried to serve humanity.”

In other words — measure my life not by applause, but by love.

And that is the Christian ethic.

Because our Lord did not come to be served — but to serve — and to give His life a ransom for many.

The greatest drum major in history marched not at the front of a parade — but up a hill called Calvary.

He wore no crown of gold — but a crown of thorns.

He carried no baton — but a cross.

And because He served, God highly exalted Him.

Conclusion

So I ask you today: Do you want to be great? Then serve.

Do you want to be first? Then love.

Do you want your life to matter? Then give it away.

Because when the roll is called up yonder, He will not ask how famous you were — He will ask how faithful you were.

And when history writes your story, let it be said:

They loved.

They served.

They walked humbly with their God.

That is the drum major instinct — redeemed by Christ.

BDD