Fifth Sunday in Lent
Notes
Transcript
Marks Gospel set’s up these beautiful little vignettes that make it east to process his account of Jesus.
The Scene
The Scene
And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,
They’re in this region known as ‘beyond the Jordan’ - which should key into our minds immediately that every time someone crosses from East to West over the Jordan something significant is about to happen.
James R Edwards of Whitworth in Spokane sums up this passage like this:
The Gospel according to Mark Self-Serving Sons of Zebedee and Self-Sacrificing Son of Man (10:35–45)
Jesus instructs the Twelve that the economy of God’s kingdom is not based on power and control but on service and giving, for the latter are not only the ethics of the kingdom but the means of redemption.
In your head picture: Jesus is out ahead a of the other 11 and he turns around and walking backwards he says to them:
saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.
Jesus is reasserting what He came to do. ‘Listen, WE are going to Jerusalem and it’s going to get ugly.’
This is the first time since chapter 2 that Jesus uses the term ‘Son of Man’ - it’s pretty clear the disciples have no idea who He is talking about.
Sounds like a bad deal for whoever this son of man is
v. 35-37 James and John Don’t Get it
v. 35-37 James and John Don’t Get it
It’s comical right? Jesus just discloses that he has a fatal condition and these two have totally blown past it.
Remember they are on their way to the capital city and all are eagerly expecting the Kingdom of God- with Jesus as King.
They are soliciting positions of honor and influence.
Patronage - seeking positional authority - possibly not to benefit anyone but themselves
And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
One of Alexander Hamilton’s more extraordinary achievements, aside from being the center of a Tony Award winning musical was recognizing that if the young US government was to be successful then it would need a wide variety of appeal. People would need to feel like they knew someone in power. Thus HUGE numbers of people in the federal government, as opposed to State and Local, are appointed. Patronage by the federal government lent it credence and power.
Now what is this ‘glory’ that James and John are referring to? Is it this patronage, this power like the feds? Mark only uses this word Glory 3 times in His gospel- Jesus is 2 of the 3 uses. Both times Jesus uses it it is in conjunction with this phrase “the son of man”
It conjures up Daniel chapter 7
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Who wouldn’t want to be a prince in that kingdom? This kingdom that is all powerful, never subject to decay or change, full of light and glory. All people are under its dominion
This is what James and John are hoping to secure a position in.
v. 38 Jesus’ Response
v. 38 Jesus’ Response
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?”
A few notes: Jesus was baptized back in Chapter 1, right off the bat. What happens immediately after Jesus is baptized?
His temptation Mk 1:12-13. Immediately he is persecuted by the devil.
Jesus is looking at James and John and telling them ‘You sure you want some of this’?
In Sem nat and I scrimped & saved and bought P90x - just brutal workouts in Humid STL
Often times the things in this life that are better for us are more difficult for us. Baptism and Christian living is not a removal of suffering, it is a heightened awareness of the deep spiritual battles unfolding all around us.
Remember, Jesus was sinless and it led him to the Cross.
Jesus is preparing the disciples, and you and I as His disciples for a new covenant.
What is shocking is that Jesus does give them much of what they ask for.
They get the baptism, they get the cup.
We get the same baptism as Jesus, We get the same cup as Jesus!
We get His gifts.
Jesus is telling them that there is a new means of Glory: Grace. Not dictatorial control. It is bestowed through the trial of Jesus, not earned nor asked for by us.
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.”
It is just five chapters later that this happened: Jesus has a place prepared for them
And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The room, the table - everything was ready for them. God had it prepared.
This is the gospel in this passage: Jesus has already made a place for you here, and eternally.
Our perfect obedience to the law of God is no longer the means by which you and gain access into the Kingdom because our obedience is, well, just not that obedient.
It is Christ’s perfect obedience that grants you and I position, place and prominence.
This place is freely available to all people. It is not for an elite few but for MANY.
Look at verse 45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The word Ransom is perfect here. Jesus establishes that His kingdom will be like no other. It will involve Him securing us a place of hope.
God’s kingdom does not grow through power and control but through humility, love and generosity.
Haven’t you seen that here?
A congregation that encourages and loves everyone, not just the powerful or the marginalized but EVERYONE.
Lavish, humble kindness to all people should be our motto.
OT Ransom Stories
OT Ransom Stories
The scriptures are full of these unlikely ransoms. Our OT lesson was from Jeremiah and it holds this great promise of when God will forgive Israel.
This reading is set during the time of 2 Chronicles 36. After Zedekiah the King of Israel rejects God’s provision Israel is all captured and taken into captivity in Babylon. Some years later King Cyrus of Persia rolls in and this is recorded:
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up.’ ”
Did you catch the ransom there? Cyrus paid for the temple to be built. He paid the ransom to Himself.
Friends God set this pattern in place long ago that the way His kingdom should operate is not through selfish ambition or the subjugation of others but through generous self giving.
By His own self giving, Christ Himself has secured a place for you today and always.
Amen.