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. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." "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?" "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, 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." When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 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. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 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 10:32-45*
Jesus knew what was going to happen. He led the way as He traveled with His disciples to Jerusalem. There had been much turmoil the last time they were in Jerusalem, and the disciples were afraid to return. But Jesus knew that what was about to happen was the whole point of his life. He was going to the cross.
The disciples did not understand. Even as He plainly told them what was going to occur, they did not get it. They were still looking for a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom. They wanted the Romans out of their land. They wanted to reign with Messiah now.
Still thinking of a kingdom on earth, James and John ask a question that irritates the other disciples. They ask for incredible favoritism and position, not even understanding the events that were about to take place. The response of the Lord is for all leaders, even all Christians: that as He came to serve, so we should serve; as He laid down His life, so we should do also; as He became a ransom for many, so we should live in such a way that honors His life and sacrifice.
Cindy Shirley wrote this message, which is read by her husband Paul. Cindy teaches Bible at CCA, and she and Paul and daughter Lauren all serve on the Missions Team.
How has Jesus made a difference in your life? "Jesus has helped me with my brother and to be nice." -John Morton, 6th grade
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.