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Bothwell & Clachan

October 22, 2006

Mark 10:32-45

Message Series (B) - JESUS’ CURIOUS QUESTIONS FOR CONFUSED FOLLOWERS: Message No. 5. - "What Do You Want Me To Do For You? (Episode 1) Mark 10:32-45

INTRODUCTION

Did you hear about the minister who said he had a wonderful sermon on humility but was waiting for a large crowd before preaching it?

Yes, Everybody Wants to Be Somebody

Yes, Everybody Wants to Be Somebody(Kenneth L. Carder, in The Call to Downward Mobility says:) Everybody wants to be somebody. Since the dawn of history, human beings have been trying to move up the scale of importance. The clincher used by the serpent to tempt Adam and Eve was "when you eat of [the tree of good and evil], your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5). Henri Nouwen says that ever since then, we have been tempted to replace love with power. "The long painful history of the church is the history of people ever and again tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led." This is a theme running through the Bible, through human history and through our own psyche. -- Kenneth L. Carder, The Call to Downward Mobility, The Christian Century, Oct. 8, 1997, p. 869

(Gen. 3:5). Henri Nouwen says that ever since then, we have been tempted to replace love with power. "The long painful history of the church is the history of people ever and again tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led." This is a theme running through the Bible, through human history and through our own psyche. -- Kenneth L. Carder, The Call to Downward Mobility, The Christian Century, Oct. 8, 1997, p. 869

We even see people choosing for themselves in the little things in life.

(Mae H. Fortson from Black Mountain, North Carolina says:) In our church kitchen, whoever drinks the last cup of coffee often fails to replenish the pot for the next person. Trying to motivate the staff to be more responsible, the secretary taped a neatly-typed plea to the pot: "If Jesus drank the last cup of coffee, what would he have done? Go thou and do likewise."

The next morning she found this scrawled response: "Jesus would have turned the water into wine instead of coffee." -- Mae H. Fortson, Black Mountain, North Carolina. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."

PART ONE

The apostles simply didn’t get it. – Mark 10:35-37

That brings us to today’s question. A question motivated by requests from two of Jesus’ closest disciples. "What do you want me to do for you?" No matter how many times Jesus told them that the kingdom he was restoring was not the old military and nationalist kingdom that the people wanted, but a kingdom in which humans reflected God’s forgiving love, they never got the point. What other kind of kingdom was there besides one like David and Solomon ran? ...Earlier (in Mk 9:33-34) the disciples have argued about which of them is the greatest. Now two members of the inner circle ask a favour of Jesus: they seek positions of special dignity. What kind of jobs would they have in the new nobility of this New Kingdom? They had made a lot of sacrifices for Jesus, what were they going to have in return. In the immortal words of city politics, they asked, "Where’s ours?" Jesus told them what it would be, but they still didn’t understand.(Mk 10:35) James and John are two of Jesus most intimate disciples.

They were with him at the transfiguration. This may explain the way they ask Jesus for favors, like children who try to get a commitment from an adult before the adult knows what he is in for!

Their request shows their ambition, and how little they care for the others.

Mk 9:33-34) the disciples have argued about which of them is the greatest. Now two members of the inner circle ask a favour of Jesus: they seek positions of special dignity. What kind of jobs would they have in the new nobility of this New Kingdom? They had made a lot of sacrifices for Jesus, what were they going to have in return. In the immortal words of city politics, they asked, "Where’s ours?" Jesus told them what it would be, but they still didn’t understand.(Mk 10:35) James and John are two of Jesus most intimate disciples.

They were with him at the transfiguration. This may explain the way they ask Jesus for favors, like children who try to get a commitment from an adult before the adult knows what he is in for!

Their request shows their ambition, and how little they care for the others.

One Positive Thing

William Barclay writes, "There are many negative things that can be said about James and John." "They were nakedly ambitious and proud: they wanted, and believed they deserved, places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom.

These men were ignorant and insensitive: their request for places of honor came right after Jesus had told of His coming suffering and death. But there’s one positive thing you can say about James and John: they believed in Jesus. Here was a poor, homeless, persecuted carpenter and yet James and John believed Jesus was a king. They believed that He would conquer the power structure of Rome." Even their crude ambition reflected their faith in Christ. -- William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, pp. 254, 255.

(Mk 10:37) It seems almost impossible that after Jesus predicts his suffering and death three times (since Mk 8:31) the disciples still do not understand. We see how patient Jesus is with his disciples.Take a moment to reflect on what James & John did. Would we have done any differently? I can just imagine myself present with James and John in their "private" meeting with Jesus. As they have asked favors from him, so have I. What are the favors we have asked of Jesus? How would he answer us?

(Mk 8:31) the disciples still do not understand. We see how patient Jesus is with his disciples.Take a moment to reflect on what James & John did. Would we have done any differently? I can just imagine myself present with James and John in their "private" meeting with Jesus. As they have asked favors from him, so have I. What are the favors we have asked of Jesus? How would he answer us?

PART TWO

Baptism as a Symbol – Mark 10:38-40

Looking back, James & John get more than they bargained for. Jesus promises them "persecutions." In the Old Testament, one’s "cup" (Mk 10: 38) is the lot in life God assigns us, whether good or bad. Here, The "cup" and the "baptism" Jesus is speaking of are symbols of his suffering and death. To be baptized with Jesus’ baptism is to share fully in God’s ways. James and John confidently answer that yes they are willing and able (Mk 10:39) and accept all the consequences. ...Paul teaches that Christian baptism is a picture of dying with Christ. As we like Daniel was earlier this morning, are placed under the water it is as if we have been buried with him. The old life is left behind. As we are raised back up from the baptismal water it is a picture of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave to begin his new form of ministry. We too are then to serve Jesus in that same spirit, as we continue to be filled with His Spirit.

Christ’s Humility - Philippians 2:3-5

In Philippians 2:3-5 Paul writes to the Church at Philippi: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus...." That certainly was a message that James & John needed to hear.

• One writer sums it up like this:

"... All we (can) ever do is to be witnesses. A witness is one who puts the issue clearly. The issue is that we merely try to stand on earth on our own feet or whether we are suspended from above, attached to the living Lord." -- Diogenes Allen, Princeton Theological Seminary. Adapted from The Truth About Jesus, ed. Donald Armstrong III, 1998. Republished at Religion On-Line.

PART THREE

Jesus’ Point – Mark 10:41-45

(Mark 10:41) We have noted that Jesus does not reprimand James and John immediately after their request for first places. Perhaps he wants them to see the consequence of their ambition. The result is certainly a big fight that breaks out among the disciples.

Jesus explains to all of the disciples that our secular, worldly authority depends on power and force (Mk 10: 42) The term "lord it over" is a vivid way of describing leadership as raw power.

Jesus teaches his disciples about what it means to be a Christian: it is NOT to "lord it" over others. But rather it IS to be a servant, just like the ones around the marketplace waiting on tables. (Mk 10:43) That is where we get our word for "deacon." The term "servant," (diakonos) literally means "the one who waits on tables. Honour is achieved through one’s suffering as a servant.

Therefore for the disciples, it should be different (Mk 10:43): to be "great" now and in the future kingdom one must serve others; to be "first", one must serve even more humbly, as a "slave". Jesus, the "Son of Man" (Mk 10: 45), is our example: he gave even his life in order to achieve that freedom for others, gaining their release from the punishment and death due to them for their sins.

(Mk 10:45) In that way, Jesus was a servant in giving his life as a ransom for all. "Ransom" means the price of deliverance or liberation, as in the release of a slave.

Jesus acted out the role of a slave in order that we could be free.

• One writer reminds us that: "More often than not, we too are blind to the gruesome reality of what it means to follow Jesus. But the One who healed the blind bids us press on." -- (Stacey Elizabeth Simpson, The Christian Century, 2000)

ENDING

Each of us needs to ask ourselves the question, "Would Jesus say to me, ‘It should not be so among you’"?

In my community (whether it is family, social group, church, etc.) how do I serve others? How do I look upon my brothers and their weaknesses? Am I too quick to judge them for their type of service or lack of the same? How should I look upon them, those who appear to be trying to serve, those still needing to be served, and yes, perhaps those who do not appear to be serving at all?

The Best Witness a Church Can Have - Mark 10:43

(Mark 10:43) Arthur Fretheim, wisely wrote this in Leadership. The best way for people to learn about the church is by seeing a face and hearing a voice say, "We’re here to serve in the name of Christ, and God bless you whether you come or not." -- Arthur Fretheim, Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 2.

Keith Wagner summed it up like this: When Jesus advocates a life of self-denial, he is not talking about being a martyr, nor is he wanting us all to be Mother Teresa’s. He is talking about denying ourselves the demand for power, honor and status and being servants.

Faith is a paradox. Life in the kingdom is not acquired with honors, prizes, achievements, awards and success. It is realized with sacrificial love, unwavering faith and belief that God has a seat there reserved just for us. It will be a lot better than a seat at the 50-yard line or at centre ice. And it isn’t just good for a single game or a single season. It is good for eternity. -- Dr. Keith Wagner, The Paradox of Faith

Final Reflections

Yes, the disciples often appear to be shortsighted, ambitious, and selfish men. But look at the love and confidence Jesus had in them. In just a short time some would be martyred while others would go to become pillars of His church. Perhaps we do need to be careful how we answer when Jesus asks: "What is it you want me to do for you?"