GREATNESS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Mark 10:32-45 / Keywords 10:45

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."

 

10:32 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.”

1. The disciples were astonished and afraid. Jesus had predicted the suffering and death that was waiting for him in Jerusalem. Yet, here he was, leading the way. Jesus was purposeful and deliberate. He faced his destiny with courage and determination. For a third time, Jesus took his disciples aside and told them about what was going to happen to him. This time he included details of how he would be mocked and scourged by the Gentiles. Somehow, James and John felt that this was the proper time to ask Jesus for positions of honor in his kingdom. They seemed consumed by their future security and glory, instead of understanding the meaning of what Jesus had just said. The other disciples were indignant with James and John for seeking these high ranking positions behind their backs.

 

2. Was it wrong for the disciples to seek greatness? Not at all! We are to seek greatness, but in the way that Jesus defines it. Those who are truly great are those who lay down their lives for the sake of others. Jesus is the perfect example of such greatness. Although he is the Lord and Master of all, he did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others and to die for the sins of the world. He came to seek and to save the lost. We can be great by following his wonderful, life-giving example and serving others with his sacrificial love.

 

Prayer Jesus, give us a servant’s heart like yours.

One Word Jesus willingly gave his life for us