From Mark 10-11
Jesus reverses the worlds expectations of true greatness. He explains for the third time in Jerusalem he will suffer, die and rise again. The disciples seek their own greatness. But Jesus corrects them. Explaining in his kingdom, people wanting to be great, have to become servants.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
Previously, Jesus taught that those who come first in this world (the rich who are unwilling to sacrifice and follow him) will be the last in the kingdom. And those who give up all they have and come follow him (those who become poor for him) will become first in the kingdom (Mk 10.17-31).
He describes a reversal of worldly expectations about peoples place in the coming kingdom.
32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. (Mk 10.32)
‘Amazed’ and ‘afraid’. We are not told why they were amazed and afraid. Perhaps because of the reversal of expectations Jesus described previously. Or it could be because Jesus is walking ahead to Jerusalem. The place they know where they will face the strongest opposition.
Amazed because Jesus walks boldly ahead. Afraid because they fear what will happen to them in Jerusalem.
Jesus reminds them about what will happen.
And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (Mk 10.32-34)
‘Again’. This is the third time (Mk 8.31; 9.31) Jesus has predicted his suffering, death and resurrection. He is giving them fair warning of what will happen. Jesus knows what is going to happen to him, yet he walks on.
Some disciples are worried about something else.
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up 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 do 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.” (Mk 10.35-37)
‘Do for us whatever we ask of you’. Have they even listened to what Jesus said will happen to him? Caring only about themselves they ask to be put in positions of power and authority.
‘In your glory’. They do believe Jesus will come into his glory. Perhaps they think Jesus will take Jerusalem with a great display of power and force. They couldn’t be more wrong. Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t work that way.
38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And 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.” (Mk 10.38-40)
‘You do not know what you are asking’. Jesus highlights their complete ignorance about what is going to happen in Jerusalem.
‘Baptism’ and ‘cup’. Jesus describes what will happen to him in terms of baptism. Much later, Paul links baptism with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection explaining what Jesus is hinting at here (Rom 6.3-4; Col 2.12).
‘We are able’. They still have no idea of what they are asking.
They persist in selfish greed and ignorance. Do we succumb to the same sins?
Jesus is graceful in answering them. ‘You will drink’, ‘You will be baptised’. Perhaps because he knows in the future they will suffer as he will. Most of the disciples will be martyred.
‘Not mine to grant’. Jesus cannot grant their wish. Only the Father can and he has prepared them for others. Its yet to be seen if they are positions of power and authority as James and John seek. Or are they the criminals crucified next to Jesus (Mk 15.27-28)?
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mk 10.41-44)
‘Indignant’. The other disciples hear about their request. They are angry because they hoped for the positions themselves. They are like children in a sense. It’s likely none of them have fully grasped what is going to happen in Jerusalem.
Jesus again describes the kingdom of God. Reversing the expectations of this world.
‘But it shall not be so among you’. Those who aspire to be great, should humble themselves and serve. Those who want to be first need to be a slave of all. Jesus’ followers are to be servants of others.
Jesus himself sets the example highlighting the redemptive purpose of his death.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10.45)
Jesus bought us with his own blood.
About Jesus
Jesus’ life, death and teaching reverses the normal worldly understanding of greatness on its head. The greatest thing ever done was accomplished by one who gave his life in service of others. To meet their greatest need. Self-giving service is the only greatness recognized by God, and only those who give of themselves for others will be exalted.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2016. All Rights Reserved.
