Jesus Serves
For Meditation
As Jesus gets closer to Jerusalem, he gets more and more focused on his impending suffering. In verses 32-35, he begins to talk about his coming ordeal and death for the third time in three chapters, now with more graphic and violent detail than ever before. Jesus is absolutely fixed on the truth that central to his identity and purpose is to die, and not just to die as an example, but as a substitutionary sacrifice, as he makes clear in verse 45 — “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” For the first time, Jesus speaks of his death as a vicarious sacrifice on behalf of others, that in his death he will taking on the payment for sin on behalf of the many. Giving his life away for others is central to his mission.
But the disciples still don’t get it. For the third time, immediately following a prediction of his passion, Jesus’ followers begin jockeying for power and prestige. How discouraged Jesus must have been, that as he nears the end of his ministry his closest followers are still so clueless! But he is so patient with them, even in response to what must be one of the worst requests made to God in history- “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” This is the essence of the human way- Your life for mine. Other people, even God himself, exist for my own comfort, exaltation and glory. This is the upward human path of self exaltation.
But Jesus gently rebukes them and teaches them about the downward path of the Kingdom of God, which is utter contradiction to the way of the world. It is the way of service and self-sacrifice, even going to the place of the lowest slave. This, Jesus says, is the way that he is modeling ultimately in his death, but now calls his followers to order their lives after this same downward pattern.
As you prepare for worship this week, ask God to reveal any way in you that the impulses of your own heart resemble John's and James’, and ask God for the power to follow in the downward path of Jesus.
Mark 10:32–45
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.”
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.”