May the mumbling commence!
Talk about slow learners. Jesus spoke to his disciples in the tenth chapter of Mark – for the third time (denoting completeness) – that he was to suffer, die and rise again. Then, James and John come forward to ask Jesus a question. Read from Mark chapter ten:
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. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise."
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 baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
"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, 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." (Verses 32-40)
You do not know what you are asking. Such is the case with most of us who prayer for powers of position. James and John were operating under the assumption of a political Messiah, who would establish a new Davidic kingdom.
They were expecting a Messiah to be as successful as Elijah – who anointed a successor. Maybe James and John thought Peter was making power moves and wanted to assure both their position of honor and power at Jesus’ side.
One thing was for certain. James and John had not been listening and understanding Jesus very well. Jesus has told them a number of times about his impending suffering and death and resurrection. Were they aware of this suffering being associated with reigning with Jesus? Probably not.
The other disciples were subject to the same misconception, because they were jealous of James and John for actively seeking out positions of power in the coming kingdom. Jesus set them straight. The kingdom of God is not about power but about service. To be great you must serve.
If serving was unwelcome news, imagine what unwelcome news it was to find out that they would indeed be subject to the suffering of Jesus without any promise of having positions of power and honor in the kingdom.
May we be willing to suffer with Jesus without any guarantee of power or honor. May we listen intently to what the Spirit is telling us to do. May we serve with humility. Then we will be great in the kingdom of heaven – even if, or because of that suffering and service.
Jesus, you are our Master, we follow in your footsteps of humility and service for others…
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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