"Kingdom Power: Politics Or Service” Lent 5

In Jesus Holy Name March 21, 2024

Text: Mark 10:43b-45 Redeemer

“Kingdom Power: Politics or Service”

Years ago I heard or read a fictional story about a man who wanted to make a lot of money in the stock market. But there were just too many variables. There were charts to understand, RSI, Daily Volume, PE Ratio, and of course earnings needed to be evaluated.

According to the fictional story, the man wished aloud, "What wouldn't I give to see the paper one year from now?" No sooner had he voiced his heart's desire than there was a puff of smoke and a genie handed him a newspaper.

When he had recovered from the shock, the man saw his wish had been granted. In truth, the paper he clutched in his greedy hands was dated a year in the future. His shaky hands found the financial page and his excited eyes scanned the market. Some stocks were down while others had made great advances.

He quickly compiled the list of big winners. Then he called a cab to take him to his stockbroker. As the blocks passed by, the man finally took time to review the rest of the paper. It was then, and only then, that he found his own picture in the paper, staring back at him from the obituaries.

(Rev. Ken Kalus sermon notes 2010)

Many of us make preparation for that future moment, but do we really want to know the day and time and way we are going to die? Probably not. Yet, we make preparation by purchasing with Life insurance or nursing home insurance. A will or trust is made. But I doubt that any of us really want to know the year, the day or the time of our death.

Jesus did. He knew. Jesus and his disciples are on His final journey to Jerusalem. The disciples think He is going to establish a political kingdom, and they are worried. It seems that Peter is the only one who carried one sword to confront the Roman legions. They were worried. They knew that all previous attempted revolts against Rome meant a major defeat for the Jews.

Jesus and His disciples are traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. On the way Jesus tells them that this will be His final trip to Jerusalem. He tells them that He will be betrayed by the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will spit on Him, flog Him, mock Him, and kill Him. Three days later He will rise.

James and John, like all the Jews, knew the prophecy in Daniel chapter 7. Daniel’s prophecy stated that the Son of Man, when He came would be given power, so all nations would serve Him. The nation of Israel was waiting for a political Messiah to deliver them from their enemies. In this moment on the road to Jerusalem, “Jesus claimed the title” “Son of Man”. The prophecy in Daniel was clear. The Son of man will be “given all authority, glory and sovereign power. All people, nations and men in every language will worship”…. The King. “His kingdom will last forever.” (Daniel 7:14)

The disciples were thinking political power. That’s why John and James ask: ‘let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory’. James and John want to sit on thrones in power and glory. They, along with Judas, believed that Jesus was going to be a political king and kick out the Romans. That’s what most of the Jews in the 1st century hoped would happen. They wanted a political Messiah. (John 6)

Jewish theology of the 1st century, divided world history into 7- 1000 year periods of time. When the final 7th 1000 years was complete, the Messiah would arrive and establish the 8th and final kingdom in which the Messiah would take power and reign. Then the Jews would celebrate at the Heavenly banquet without end.

These two disciples are angling for better seats in the Kingdom. And who can blame them? Everyone wants to be somebody. So many people want to be near the center of power. Our own American elections are coming, some in Washington and elsewhere are angling for positions of power.

The obsession of Jesus was for the glory of God. The obsession of James and John was their own glory and power. They fancied themselves on golden thrones. They were dreaming of goblets filled with wine, not cups of suffering. The fishing business would soon be past history for them.

Jesus turns the prophecy of Daniel upside down. He changed the role. He had not come to be served but to serve.” If you will follow me, Jesus said: then who ever wants to become great must be a servant.”