DARKNESS REIGNS
Opening Prayer
Lord, I want to please You in what I ask from You.
Read MARK 10:32–45
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.
Meditate
“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for [a discerning heart]” (1 Kings 3:10). Think of all the things a king could have asked for.
Think Further
Another day, another event “on their way” (32).For the third time, Jesus explains what He is about to face (32–34)(cf. Mark 8:31; 9:31), but now He reveals that Jerusalem is their final destination. Instead of asking what they can do for Jesus, James and John want to know what He can do for them (35). Jesus plays along with their request for a wild card, asking them what they want Him to do for them (36). Sadly, their request for status and honor inverse 37 reveals that they still don’t get it and have failed to grasp the recent teaching about being the last and the least.
Jesus points out their ignorance; all He can offer them is a share in His impending suffering and death (38) (FJ Moloney, The Gospel of Mark, Hendrickson, 2002, p205). James and John confidently accept the challenge, hardly realizing what they are signing up for. God’s design for discipleship is to follow Jesus toward the cross, dying to self, and of aspiring to be last and least. There is irony inverse 41 in that the other disciples are angry at James and John for asking Jesus exactly what was probably on all their minds.
Once again, and for the last time, Jesus provides a lesson in servant leadership (42–45). In the church, there is no place for competition and the domineering leadership that exists in some sections of our societies (FJ Moloney, 2002, p207). Greatness can be achieved only through service. This goes further than some occasional act of service. If we claim to follow Jesus, the Servant-King, we must adopt a servant identity: we serve because that is who we are!
Apply
What do you want from Jesus? Our requests reveal our desires. Pray for wisdom to know what to ask for.
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me how to be satisfied with being last and least. Show me the blessing attached to self-effacement.
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