Who is Able to Sit?

I. Introduction

Imagine a bustling corporate boardroom, where executives gather around a polished mahogany table, each vying for recognition and authority. They discuss strategies to increase profits, expand market share, and solidify their positions of power. In this competitive environment, the prevailing notion of leadership often revolves around dominance and self-promotion.

Now, picture a different scene—a humble soup kitchen in the heart of a bustling city. Here, a group of volunteers, led by a quietly spoken individual, works tirelessly to serve hot meals to the homeless and needy. This leader doesn't seek accolades or recognition; instead, they lead by example, rolling up their sleeves and serving alongside their team.

In both scenarios, leadership is evident, but the styles couldn't be more different. The corporate boardroom represents the world's view of leadership—driven by ambition, status, and the pursuit of personal gain. Contrastingly, the soup kitchen embodies the essence of Jesus' leadership—a servant-hearted approach characterized by humility, compassion, and sacrificial love.

Jesus, the ultimate example of humility in leadership, didn't seek positions of power or prestige. Instead, He willingly laid aside His divine rights and privileges to serve others. From washing the feet of His disciples to feeding the hungry crowds, Jesus consistently demonstrated a servant's heart, prioritizing the needs of others above His own.

In today's society, where leadership is often equated with authority and dominance, Jesus' example challenges us to redefine our understanding of greatness. True leadership, according to Jesus, isn't about lording over others or advancing our own agendas; it's about selflessly serving those around us, lifting them up, and empowering them to reach their full potential.

As followers of Christ, we're called to emulate His example of humility in leadership. Whether in our workplaces, communities, or families, may we lead not with arrogance and self-importance but with humility, grace, and a genuine desire to serve others, just as Jesus did.

A. Setting the stage: Mark 10:32-45

pg. 1076

Our reading today we follow right after the story of the rich young ruler. This young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit the kingdom. Jesus tells him to obey the commandments, which he says he has since his youth. Then Jesus goes a step further telling him to sell everything and follow him. This is where the young ruler goes away sorrowful, not willing to selling everything, not willing to give up everything, he sees that this is too hard, too difficult.

Then Jesus tells his disciple it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heave. I am not going to talk about all the nuances that come up about this parable, that is not our focus for today. Jesus’ disciple make the point when they ask who then can be saved. Pointing to the fact that we are all rich in someway, and if this is the standard, who then can be saved. To this Jesus responds, with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

That lead into where we are today in ark 10, where we see something significant Jesus is teaching.

B. Emphasizing the significance of verse 45

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

II. The Journey to Jerusalem: A Lesson in Servant-hood

A. Jesus' journey with His disciples towards Jerusalem

Now as we come to the scene today Jesus is walking with his disciples on their way to Jerusalem, as they have done many times before, but this time is going to be different and Jesus knows this, in fact he has been trying to tell his disciples what to expect. Now for the third time Jesus is telling them that he is going to be betrayed, handed over to the leaders and be killed, but that on the third day he was going to rise again.

It almost seems when you are reading this passage that the disciple have sort of tuned this out, or not really paying attention to what Jesus is saying. Either they are missing the point, confused by what Jesus is saying or maybe convinced like Peter was in one of the previous times telling Jesus this will never happen. Peter of course learns a heard lesson by Jesus telling him get behind me Satan, for you are setting your mind on things of this world not of things of God.

B. Teaching them the essence of servant leadership

However they perceived what Jesus was telling them, what happens next with James and John sort of leave us questioning again are they really getting. Of course this is easy for us to say looking back at the story, we know the rest of the story, like the old radio host Paul Harvey, now you know the rest of the story. They however didn’t at the time, they may have heard it but they were definitely not getting it. Even this too Jesus uses as an example to teach them a lesson, to teach us some truth about the kingdom of God. Namely how to be great you must be least, a true leader does not come to be served but to serve.

III. The Misunderstanding of Greatness

A. James and John's request for positions of honor Mark 10:35-37

Mark 10:35–37 ESV

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

B. Contrasting worldly greatness with Kingdom greatness

Again we see James and John falling into that same trap as Peter, focusing on wordly ideas, thinking that they had something to gain, after all, they seemed to be in a privileged position. They were with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, they seen Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. James and John were some of the first called by Jesus, and Peter he made this blunder the other day, so maybe they were on their way, maybe they can ask Jesus to sit at his right and left in this kingdom. I mean why not just ask for the kingdom at this point?

IV. Jesus' Counter-cultural Response

Mark 10:38 ESV

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

This question Jesus ask them at this point has always fascinated me, for he ask two very important points, one are they able to drink from the same cup that he drinks, and two are they able to be baptized with the baptism which he is baptized?

Why the cup and why the baptism? Both are symbolic of God’s judgement, to suffer, the cup is God’s wrath being poured out, and in baptism we are drown and raised to new life. Sure they have the ability to suffer in the way Jesus suffered, and to partake of that baptism, yet they do not, they run away in the garden and instead two thieves are on Christ left hand and right hand when he comes into his glory.

Mark 10:39-40 (ESV)

Mark 10:39–40 ESV

And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Jesus plainly tells this that this honor is not for him to give but it is for those whom it has been prepared. That is that its God’s choosing and not something they can obtain to but a free gift. They would get the free gift but the honor to sit on the left or right, was not something they had a right too.

A. True greatness defined by servanthood and humility

Mark 10:41 ESV

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

Interesting Jesus didn’t have to tell them like he told Peter, get behind me Satan, instead when the other hear it they begin to become indignant with them, you can imagine thee things that were being said, “how do they thing they are something special?” “We are all following Jesus and given up so much to be hear, how do they think they are special?”

A good example of what Jesus taught in Matthew 23:12

Matthew 23:12 ESV

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

They were humbled, but humility is what it takes, sometimes we need to be knocked down before we get back up.

I can tell you from my experience some of the most memorable and best lessons learn were some of the hardest, some of the most humbling as well.

Mark 10:42–44 ESV

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

To be the greatest among you, you must first be a slave of all, this world for slave is used several time in scripture, it is the word δοῦλος it does mean to be a slave, but not like often is associated here in America with the slavery in the South, this was more of a bond servant, someone sold into slavery or servitude to pay back a debt that they could not pay. To be a doulus, a slave means to be a servant, because Jesus paid a debt we could not pay.

Today we celebrate St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland, but St. Patrick was not Irish. He was British, taken as a slave to Ireland during a raid on Ireland. After six years of slavery, he finally escaped and eventually was ordained to the priesthood.

After this he went back to Ireland to preach the gospel, to the very people he was once enslaved he now brought the gospel, setting them free from their slavery to sin and darkness. Spreading that good news that Jesus declares.

B. Jesus' declaration: "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" Mark 10:45

Mark 10:45 ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

In fact this is what Jesus says is the reason by which he came, not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This wording is right out of the Isaiah 53:11

Isaiah 53:11 (ESV)

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Jesus fulfilling the Law and Prophets as he foretold, as was foretold, who taking upon humbled himself, Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

This is true servant-hood to give up your very life, to die in the place of another, just not only died for one, but for all of mankind. Let alone die for a sinner such as you or I, this is a love that goes beyond understanding, this king who deserved every place of honor, chose the cross, for you and for me.

V. Understanding Jesus' Servant-hood

A. Exploring the depth of Jesus' sacrificial service

Incarnation: Jesus, the Son of God, took on human form, humbling Himself to dwell among us (Philippians 2:6-7). This act of humility and self-emptying demonstrates the depth of His sacrificial service, as He willingly entered into our human experience.

Teaching and Healing: Throughout His ministry, Jesus devoted Himself to teaching, healing, and ministering to the needs of others. He tirelessly traveled from place to place, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and demonstrating God's love through His actions.

Miracles and Signs: Jesus performed numerous miracles, such as healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even raising the dead. These acts of power were not for His own glory but were expressions of His compassion and desire to alleviate suffering.

Suffering and Death: The ultimate demonstration of Jesus' sacrificial service was His willing submission to the cross. He endured betrayal, rejection, and physical agony out of love for humanity. As He hung on the cross, Jesus bore the weight of our sins, offering Himself as a ransom for our salvation (Mark 10:45).

Resurrection and Redemption: Jesus' sacrificial service didn't end with His death; it culminated in His victorious resurrection. Through His triumph over sin and death, Jesus offers us the gift of eternal life and reconciliation with God.

B. Applying His example to our lives

Humility is a hard lesson for us to learn in our lives, especially true humility, for we want to be like James and John, we want to have the places of honor, to be the greatest, and most of all we want everyone like us.

This I can tell you is one of the hardest lessons to learn as a pastor, that not everyone is going to like you. The second is that the closer you get to God, the more faithful you are at preaching the word, the harder the devil will attack, and those who do not like you will probably like you even less.

But then you also realize the greatest joy actually comes from giving rather than receiving, and nothing is more rewarding than when we see the gifts we give come to fruition, when someone in Bible study is encouraged and believes, when I child is baptized, when the faithful is called home, and especially when one finally comes to believe in that saving gospel, because the word was proclaimed.

This is what it means then to truly serve 1 Peter 2:21

1 Peter 2:21 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and that services took Jesus all the way to the cross, where he paid the penalty for our sins. This then is what it means to have humility to trust in Christ alone for our salvation, giving up our every effort of trying to obtain, our every work of trying to do good to merit something before God. Humility leads us to see that we are sinners in need of grace, and daily we confess our sins, and hear that good news that your sins are forgiven for the sake of him who died and rose again and lives forever and ever. Amen