A Vision for Greatness

A Vision of Greatness: Jesus Question 2X – What do you want me to do for you?

· Last week – childlike dependance requires a habit of asking. John 14-16.

· Mark 10:36 and 51 What do you want me to do for you. What would you ask for?

1. Their Request

2. Their Reason

3. Jesus Response (Jesus to them)

4. Our Response (Us to Jesus)

Context - Mark 10:32-34 Foretells his death a third time.

· What they know: Jesus is the Christ (Mark 8:29). Jesus will rule and they will rule with him (Matthew 19:28). Jesus will be killed by his enemies (Mark 8:31, 9:30, and 10:32).

· Mystery – how victory is achieved through loss.

· Meantime – life goes on. Have to plan and live life without all the answers. We are supposed to be dependent so let’s ask…

The Request – Mark 10:35-37 Grant us to sit at your right and your left.

The Reason – Mixture of good and not so good.

· Good - It is Jesus’ pattern to encourage asking (John 14-16)

· Good - They show great faith given they have heard Jesus say he would be killed.

· Good – Request is in line with Jesus’ promise give moments ago. Matthew 19:23–30 (ESV) 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

· They reveal they have not learned earlier lessons about greatness (Mark 9:33-37). The request is about status not service. They want to be SEEN. The brothers hope to honor Jesus while honoring themselves. How easily worship and discipleship are blended with self-interest; or worse, self-interest is masked as worship and discipleship.[1]

o Dilemma – 4 separate conversations: ambition and success

The Response – Mark 10:38 You don’t know what you are asking. Notice he does not rebuke them. Kudos for asking. The act of asking, even when you don’t know what you are asking for and/or you’re asking is tainted with selfish motives is to engage Jesus in an authentic relationship – this is good. This is great. This is discipleship. Jesus does not crush us when our wants are all together selfish. He teaches us.

· Are you willing and able to drink the cup, be baptized? There is a cost.

o Suffering is, must be part of your path. Romans 5:2-5 conversation. Hebrews 5

· You will drink the cup but your request is not mine to grant. Jesus seems to be saying that final rankings as who is #1 versus #2 are not is purview. Making sure they are on the winning team is.

· Back to the Classroom – Mark 10:41-45

What are you asking for? Why?

· What do you want?

· Why do you want it?

· Will you ask?

· What will you do if you get it?

· What will you do if you don’t get it?

· Ask – James 4 you have not because you don’t ask

· Let Jesus test your motives for asking – James 4. To be seen or to be able to serve him?

· Sometimes Jesus withholds what we ask because giving it would obscure our ability to see what matters most.

o Reality – every request you bring to the Lord will be from mixed motives. 4 different conversations this week with people all desiring to be great. Greatness is good. You should want it, but what is it and why do you want it? James and John are already a part of the “inner circle”. It’s always Peter, James, and John that Jesus pulls aside. The fact that Jesus has already told the whole group they will sit on thrones and rule with him reveals they believe and know they will serve in greatness along-side Jesus. The request that they be at his right and left means they want those positions to the exclusion of Peter (see v. 41). This is a question of status. They want to be seen as ruling next to Jesus. Do they want to serve and glorify God? You bet. Do they want a little glory for themselves. Absolutely.

Drinking the Cup - Communion

[1]Edwards, J. R. (2002). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 322). Eerdmans; Apollos.