Mark 10:35-45
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied, “We are able.” Then 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; 40 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.” 41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
No one likes to be around people who think they are the greatest thing that has happened to this world. Two disciples, two brothers James and John, thought they were special and wanted to be top dog in Jesus’ kingdom. They misunderstood a fundamental principle of this kingdom: the last shall be first. We are good at creating our own little safe kingdoms. But something comes along and ruins it all.
1. James and John’s Problem
These two brothers came from obscure pasts as fishermen. Jesus called them to a new life. They were known as the “Sons of Thunder.” The Bible is not clear what this means, but this passage hints that they were highly competitive. It is interesting to see the change that happened in them, especially John, as evidenced by the Johannine Literature. John became known as the disciple of love.
a. Desiring to be First. James and John wanted glory.
b. Misunderstanding about Jesus. They did not understand the importance and depth of Jesus’ suffering.
2. The way to life is through the Cross
The cup Jesus was to drink was his suffering (Mark 14:36).
Jesus prophesies that they too would suffer as his followers.
The other disciples likewise do not understand because they become judgmental of the two brothers.
3. A call to Radical Life Style
The followers of Christ are to be servants “of all.”
The lifestyle of service creates better community. What causes friction between people usually is selfishness or misunderstanding.
There is a popular song on the Christian radio station in our area, possibly nation wide, called something like “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.” Isaiah 53 reminds us that Jesus did not open his mouth when he was reviled and persecuted, because he was a friend of sinners.
You cannot be a disciple of Jesus without being a servant like he was.
Henri Nouwen wrote, “When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. The sorrow overwhelms us, makes us throw ourselves on the ground, face down, and sweat drops of blood. Then we need to be reminded that our cup of sorrow is also our cup of joy, and that one day we will be able to taste the joy as fully as we now taste the sorrow.” (Can You Drink this Cup? )
There is one path to greatness. It comes in service to others.
Our power and motivation comes through Jesus, the one who was ransomed for us.
For older posts, click here.