Devotion

Christian Community 

This week, we have been looking at Mark 10: 35 - 45. Mark is one of the books in the new testament that tells us about Jesus' life on earth. The passage reads: 

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, 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.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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.”

These verses plays a key part in the Gospel of why Jesus dies and what his death means. It describes our Christian gospel and that the community it creates as being completely different from the “business as usual” we encounter all around us.

In this passage, Jesus gives his final and most detailed prediction of his trial, suffering, death, and resurrection. He is about to enter Jerusalem to confront the authorities at the temple. James and John request privileged places of authority in seats at Jesus’ right and left. In doing so, they appear to have missed most of what Jesus has said and done to that point! . They recognise that glory waits for Jesus and think that the authority he has shown in his ministry will lead to something big, perhaps to a royal rule, and they want to make the most of that.

When Jesus softly chastises the two for their ignorance and speaks about “the cup” he must drink and “the baptism” he must undergo, he reminds us that that violence and death on the cross await him in Jerusalem. His role will actually reflect the paradoxical nature of his kingship, and he will die as an utterly despised and powerless “king.” Mark  emphasises that this rejection and death is inevitable and necessary, because of who Jesus is, because of the boundary-breaking character of his ministry, and because those who wield power in the world will do all they can to protect themselves and their prerogatives from the implications of that ministry.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your salvation on the cross for us and the reminder of the importance of giving ourselves in service to you. We are grateful for your example of servant leadership in the Bible and in these verses and pray that you will guide us in continuing to serve others. Amen. 

Blessings, 

Will Wallace 

Principal