INTRODUCTION
• SLIDE #1
• We being a new series today entitled Great Complaints. In this series, we will examine some of the tension points we find in the Bible.
• The Bible, we find a great number of tension points that caused a great number of complaints.
• Some of the complaints were somewhat covert in nature, while others were more overt.
• Today we begin our series with Jesus being cornered by two of his disciples along with their mother.
• These two gentlemen along with their mother is going to ask Jesus for a favor of which they really do not fully understand what they are asking.
• This discussion takes place after they witnessed the transfiguration and I am sure from the moment after that happened, the disciples all had some visions of grandeur, James and John along with their mommy, had the nerve to articulate their desires.
• By asking Jesus to place them on His right and left, they are asking Jesus if they can be placed in a position on honor, they want others to see them as the greatest!
• Now, as we ponder what these guys did, the tie in for us to consider is this, is there anything inherently wrong with wanting to be the greatest, or to achieve to the highest levels one can reach?
• Today, if you desire to be the best, is that a problem?
• Are James and John wrong for what they were going to ask Jesus to do?
• Let’s dig in.
• SLIDE #2
• Mark 10:35–37 (CSB) James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask you.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them. They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. The ambition to achieve unearned greatness. 35-37
• In the parallel account found in Matthew 20:20-28, we are told their mother approached Jesus with James and John.
• Ok, here is the problem, James and John want to achieve greatness without earning it.
• The one thing we see from the request of these two close disciples of Jesus is that they believe that Jesus has something special in the works, and even though they do not understand what it is, they want to be put in a place of honor.
• I love the way the frame the question, “TEACHER, WE WANT YOU TO DO WHATEVER WE ASK OF YOU!”
• What is unfolding before us in the text is James and John’s ambition to achieve unearned greatness or position.
• They want something special for nothing.
• The disciples THINK that Jesus is going to set up an earthy kingdom of which they want prominence.
• I want us to consider their ambition for a minute.
• As we will notice later in the text, the desire for greatness is not the issue, it is the reason for wanting it.
• The ambition of James and John, and probably all the other disciples was to be recognized, to be seen as something special, to be seen as a cut above.
• Considering the humble background of these men, I am sure the thought of greatness was intoxicating.
• These men were nothing special, they would have all been lost in the annals of history without Jesus.
• However, their ambition was to be seen as great, not to be great. Their desire was to be seen as special, not to be special.
• These men wanted greatness without being great.
• These men wanted rank and position so they could exalt themselves.
• On the positive side, James and John’s willingness to ask Jesus for a blank check of sorts, indicates their faith in His sovereignty.
• They were desirous of the positions of highest honor in His coming messianic kingdom, and the request seems bold and ill-timed.
• Yet, it does show their genuine faith that somehow Christ’s kingdom was real and imminent. Perhaps this is why Jesus did not deal with them harshly.
• What they think they are asking for is to be looked upon as the greatest, but as we will see there was something these men missed.
• SLIDE #4
• Mark 10:38–41 (CSB) — 38 Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We are able,” they told him. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. 40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.
• SLIDE #5
II. The price of genuine greatness. 38-41
• The ambition of the men was to have prominent positions in Jesus’ new earthly kingdom!
• They wanted greatness without being willing to pay the price for being great.
• Jesus aptly points out that James and John did not know what they were asking for.
• Then Jesus explains that what they are asking for requires a high level of sacrifice.
• When Jesus speaks of drinking from the cup He is to drink from, He is alluding to the suffering His calling will lead Him through.
• This same symbol of the cup is used by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asks if the cup of suffering can pass (Matthew 26:39).
• In this context Baptism is used by Jesus as another idiom for EXTREME SUFFERING.
• Jesus was telling them that they would experience similar suffering in their lives.
• James was the first of the Apostles to be martyred (Acts 12:1-2), and John was the last to die after experiencing the pain of exile and persecution.
• Notice that Jesus does not condemn their request, He just wants them to know that their request was not something to be given, but earned through great effort and suffering.
• Notice, Jesus is not speaking of SALVATION, but He is answering their desire to be great.
• In verse 40, Jesus states, “40 But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
• Jesus is telling them that their request is not to be awarded randomly.
• It was God’s prerogative to bestow this type of honor based on faithful service, not favoritism.
• When you think about, we remember and esteem these men because of their service and suffering for the kingdom.
• Taking this thought to today, if you want to be great, there are no shortcuts, it takes hard work, sacrifice and suffering.
• OLYMPIC ATHLETES.
• There is a great deal of sacrifice and suffering that goes along with being great or successful.
• We see another price to pay for greatness, sometimes people will not like you. In verse 41 we see that the other 10 were VISIBLE upset with James and John.
• They were mad because they did not think if it first! I think they were upset because James and John appear to be trying to take the lead over them.
• Well, Jesus is watching this and now He is going to sit these guys down and explain some things to them.
• We should all strive for greatness, but the question is how and why?
• SLIDE #6
• Mark 10:42–44 (CSB) — 42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them.
• SLIDE #7
III. The world’s formula for greatness. 42
• The major difference between the world’s formula for success and greatness and the one Jesus models is FOCUS.
• Where and what is the focus.
• Jesus makes it clear that the rulers of the Gentiles have a focus that the leader focuses on himself.
• They make greatness all about them.
• He continues in verse 43 to say that those who get into high positions act as tyrants over those they rule.
• They act in this manner because their focus is on themselves; therefore, what they focus on is how others can serve them, or further their own agenda.
• When folks follow the world’s formula for greatness, they will make sure that they spend all their time and energies to get to the top and once they have reached the pinnacle, they cause others to feel the weight of their authority.
• Have you worked for bosses who are all about what you can do for them?
• I believe that micromanager bosses are this way because they are afraid you will make them look bad, so they stand over your shoulder.
• Jesus offers a better path to greatness.
• SLIDE #8
• Mark 10:43–45 (CSB) — 43 But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to 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.”
• SLIDE #9
IV. Jesus’ formula for greatness. 43- 45
• Jesus could have been indignant with James and John, but Jesus was wanted the disciples to learn and He wanted to model a better way.
• He gently reminds them that they are not about what the world is about.
• Jesus says of you want to be the greatest, you will be a servant to the rest.
• Whoever wants to be first, will be a servant to all.
• The point is that those who are truly great are focused on others and how they can be a blessing to others.
• A truly great person, or leader knows that as everyone else does well, they will do well.
• Great people will look for ways to serve those below them.
• Have you ever worked for a boss who you knew was looking out for you?
• The other focus of one who follows Jesus formula is that the seek to use their blessing to be a blessing to others.
• Jesus modeled this principle.
• 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.”
• Jesus did not use His greatness or position to lord it over folks, or for His own personal benefit, He came to serve.
• Jesus formula for greatness is to focus on others and to leverage what you have to be a blessing to others.
• If you aspire to greatness and high achievement, if you are only thinking about yourself, you are missing the boat.
• Jesus tell the disciples the greatness and position they seek can be achieved by serving others and focusing on others.
• Husbands, if you want to be a great presence in your home, look for ways to serve your wife and children.
• Wives, do you want to be a great presence in your home, look for ways to serve your husband and children.
• Children, if you want to be a great presence in your home, look for ways to serve your parents.
• Our society has been so self-focused that we have forgotten how to serve and put others first.
CONCLUSION
• James and John wanted something of which they had no clue as to what they were asking.
• They wanted greatness and position handed to them.
• The path to greatness is found in focusing on and serving others!
