"An Unfortunate Request" March 10 Readings: Numbers 31-33, Mark 10:35–52, Psalm 34:1–8, Proverbs 8:12-13

Today's Readings - Numbers 31-33, Mark 10:35–52, Psalm 34:1–8, Proverbs 8:12-13

Devotional - An Unfortunate Request

The disciples lived the entire ministry of Jesus with a tragic misunderstanding of the purpose of his work. The popular idea was that he had come to throw off the shackles of Roman oppression and lead Israel to freedom and power. Jesus would take the reins of government in Jerusalem, restore the Davidic kingdom and lead the nation to its greatest days.

But most importantly, they would be there with him as he ascended to the throne. They would be his cabinet, his trusted ministers. It probably boggled their minds that they had fallen into such fortune, but they were his inner circle and would be the foundation of his coming earthly, political and military kingdom.

When, in Mark 10:37,  James and John asked to sit at the right hand and at the left hand (the positions of highest honor) of Jesus when he came into his glory. We tend to think that speaks of Jesus' second coming or his millennial kingdom, but James and John were not thinking that far ahead, but about that moment when Jesus would supplant Herod, throw out the Romans and reign as king of Israel.

Several observations come to mind about this.

• Anytime someone asks you to grant a favor before they tell you what it is, beware!
• Part of me wishes that Jesus had simply asked which one wanted to be on the right side (the most prominent place) and which one would accept the left side (the secondary place of honor). I suspect the two brothers would have ended up fighting each other!
• It would be great if the other ten were offended for the right reasons. They weren't. They were offended because each of them was angling to be at the right hand of Christ and were upset that James and John beat them to the punch.

What stands out most here, of course, is the stark contrast between the actions and attitudes of the disciples and the purposes of Christ. Jesus is moving toward Jerusalem with the expressed purpose of laying down his life for the sins of the world. He is going there to humble himself and serve all of humanity by dying. While he is working out the Father's eternal purpose in humility, the disciples are straining and striving to push themselves forward and reach for the top.

It would be easy to condemn them if the same thing were not still going on in the church today!

Though Jesus called us to humble ourselves and to serve one another, we puff ourselves up, we demand to have our own way, we seek our own and serve ourselves. While Jesus seeks and saves we strive for supremacy.

Jesus said three very important things to James, John and the rest of the disciples.

First, if you want to sit at his table, you have to drink from his cup. They had no idea what that meant. Jesus was about to suffer - horribly, unspeakably - for the sake of others. Greatness in Christ's kingdom required a similar sacrifice, even suffering. Don't look for luxury and comfort in the kingdom of Christ. He never had it and neither did the disciples once they were filled with the Spirit and put into service. The cup of Christ can be bitter at first!

Second, Jesus completely redefined leadership. The "Gentiles" used their authority to control and dominate others. But in the kingdom of God, a leader has a completely different purpose. He does not use the people he leads to benefit himself, but he gives of himself to bless and benefit the people he leads. Greatness in Christ's kingdom comes from serving others.

And that is the final truth, in reality just the summary of the first two. Jesus explained his life this way. "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." The disciples didn't get that. Peter rebuked Jesus when he talked about dying. In fact, Peter took out a sword in Gethsemane to prevent Jesus from giving himself to the guard. And they certainly had not yet learned the principle of service in their own interactions. In a few days, as Jesus would be washing their feet before the Last Supper, they would be arguing over who would be greatest in the kingdom.

And now, 2000 years later, we still don't get it. Christianity is about service. It is about giving, not getting. It is about serving, not being served. Success is always measured in the lives of others you have blessed.

Father, remind me daily that I have here, like Christ, not to be served but to serve others and to give my life on behalf of those who need you. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you strive for the place of prominence, honor, and admiration, or are you content with serving others and being a tool of God's grace in this world?