In our passage the disciples are sensing Jesus’ time has come. They know Jesus is the anointed Messiah and now they are arguing who will sit in Jesus’ right and left when his kingdom is established.
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.” 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.” 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. 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.” (Mark 10:34-45)
This chapter, Mark 10 brings us to a close to the earthly ministry of Jesus. The rest of the book of Mark, chapters 11-16 are just about the last week of Jesus life on earth. As Jesus relates to his disciples that he is about to die. The disciples are hearing this and having a discussion about getting a good seat. They want the best position in Jesus kingdom.
James and John make a request for a couple of seats. One at the left of Jesus and one at the right of Jesus, when Jesus is in his glory. We see the setting in the preceding verses when Jesus foretold of his death a third time.
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. 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.” (Mark 10:32-34)
Jesus is walking straight to Jerusalem to live one more week. He is drawing full attention to his Messiahship. He will make a triumphant entry into Jerusalem and face death and rise again. This is the third and last time Jesus has predicted his death. It has been in Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 and now in Mark 10:33. Each time he included the resurrection.
In this third prediction of his death Jesus gave more of the ugly details. He would be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. He would be handed over to the gentiles, sentenced to death, mocked, beaten spit upon and crucified. And yes, triumphantly he would rise again.
When Jesus predicted his death the second time (Mark 9:31) the disciples argued about who is the greatest. Jesus corrected their thinking. Here again Jesus talks about his death, his suffering, his being mocked and the disciples are talking about who gets to sit with Jesus in glory. Why do they act that way?
How come every time Jesus talks about his suffering the disciples speak of their own reigning and their own glory and their own greatness? Is because it is still not sinking in, the disciples are behind Jesus and the crowds are behind the disciples and all of them are headed to Jerusalem. All are thinking of the Jewish concept of messiah. They are expecting Jesus to reign as earthly king, as the second King David. They expect Jesus to restore the kingdom of Israel.
The disciples and the crowds still picture an earthly kingdom with a political king. The disciples are acting this way because they want top political positions in this kingdom. They are acting like knowing the right people, having the contacts and network will get them a favored position. They have again missed the point of Jesus coming to earth.
Jesus gives the disciples a lesson in greatness. He says you do not know what you are asking. He asks, can you drink the cup? He asks, can you be baptized with the baptism? These are metaphors of his death. The cup and baptism are pictures of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus asks them, could you suffer like I will suffer? They answered, we can. You may suffer he said, but these places on my right and on my left are not to be handed out. When you are running a race you do not ask the judge to give you first place. You run and how fast you run determines your place.
When the other disciples heard James and John talking this way they became indignant. Why? Because these two are acting in their own selfish interests and trying to jump ahead of them. Jesus gives the principle of greatness in verses 42-45.
There is a difference between greatness in the world’s system and greatness in Jesus’ kingdom. In the worlds system the king lords over the subjects. They exercise authority over them. In the world’s concept power and greatness go together.
To be great in the worlds system you will be pushing people around. You will step on others to raise yourself up more. You will be focused on climbing the ladder of success in the worlds system. You will ask for special favors, try to impress other people all to be great when you are operating according to the world’s system.
It works differently in God’s kingdom. In fact, it is just the opposite. If you want to be great in the world’s system, then go for the power play. If you desire to be great in God’s eyes, it will take a different approach. That approach is serving others.
Do you want to know who is the greatest Christian? Then find out who is the greatest servant. Do you want to become great in the kingdom Jesus established? Then be a servant. You want to be first, then be a slave.
In the world’s system going and doing errands for others is a low position. In the kingdom serving others is great. Those who do a thankless task with the right attitude have done a great thing in Jesus’ kingdom. The Christian model of leadership is the model of the servant leader.
Having an impressive office and a powerful position do not make a person great. It is serving others that does that. Instead of demanding heavenly rewards and choice seats Christians are called to start rendering earthly service.
The executive director of one of the largest Christian bodies was at a meeting. At the meeting banquet there was a waiter shortage. He did not shout at the management but grabbed an apron and started serving tables. He modeled servant leadership. Jesus was an expert at that.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. He had to escape the crowds that wanted to make him king by force. Instead of political power he took a towel and basin. Jesus washed the disciples feet. That task was reserved for servants.
Jesus came to serve. He came to give his life a ransom for many. Jesus would die on the cross paying the price for the sinner like a slave on the blocks bought with a price. The price was his own blood. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem because he had an appointment with destiny.
He was on his way to Jerusalem to be betrayed, handed over to the Chief priests, sentenced, mocked, flogged, spit upon and crucified. Because Jesus came to serve and give his life a ransom for many. He came to die the just for the unjust to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18)
The more we have humility, and we are serving others the more we are like Christ. The places of honor in Christ’s kingdom are not reserved for those who seek it selfishly. Those who give of themselves are Christlike. Our degrees and titles don’t count for advancement in God’s Kingdom. Only service.
There is a sign over a kitchen sink. “Divine service is conducted here three times daily.” By Christ’s definition daily tasks may be more spiritual than some “high-falutin” religious service.
So how do we measure success? Is it by our education, wealth or social status? No, Jesus measured success by service. The world system grabs power and Jesus teaches serving others. The worlds system leads to disappointment. Jesus’ way leads to fulfilment.
James and John and the disciples did turn out to be great. They finally learned after the resurrection to serve others. There are countless ways to serve. Just start serving!
