LEADING THE WAY
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, speak not only to my mind, but to my heart, as I read in the Word today. Help me to change those things in me that need changing so that I might better serve my Savior.
Read MARK 10:32–45
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
The Request of James and John
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must 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 as a ransom for many.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of a time when you had to follow someone, by car or on foot. What emotions did you experience at the different stages of the journey? How do you feel about following Jesus right now?Maybe it was because Jesus chose them first (Mark 1:16–20) that James and John expected preferential rewards for following Jesus. They may have had Psalm 110 verse 1 in mind as they anticipated Jesus’ glory.
Jesus was leading the way (v. 32) directly to the cross. After his resurrection he would continue to lead the way (Mark 14:28; 16:7). This trajectory—to suffering before glory—would continue to be the heart of what it meant to follow him. He made this clear (e.g., 8:34, 35), but his disciples seemed incapable of absorbing this reality. They were astonished as he headed to Jerusalem.
Power is seductive. Regimes change all the time, but unless there is a radical shift in attitudes to power, one oppressive government will simply be changed for another. At the heart of Jesus’ kingdom is the reverse of what people normally associate with ‘leading’ (vv. 42–44). Jesus’ leadership serves rather than dominates, and liberates rather than enslaves (v. 45).
Apply
Whatever positions you hold—at home, in the church, or your community—are there places where you need to do better at serving as you lead?
Closing prayer
I want to follow you, Jesus, but I’m so often the straggler, the wanderer, the one who disputes your navigation, even challenges your right to lead. Here, now, I fall into line. Lead me on, Lord.
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