Careful what you ask for

Mark 10:35-45 (TNIV) -

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

38 “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?”

39 “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, 40 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.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 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. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 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.”

My thoughts -

Jesus did like to turn our idea of greatness on its head, didn't he. James and John wanted to be great. They wanted to sit at the right and the left side of Jesus in glory. They, of course, had no idea what they were asking for. Even when Jesus asked if they could drink his cup and be baptized with his baptism they had no clue what that meant.

Of course, they both did end up drinking from Jesus's cup. They were both martyred. This may seem like an odd success story, but I think we view success wrongly.

No one should go into ministry because of what they can gain from it. No one should use the name of Jesus to seek fame and fortune. This is not success, no matter how big your congregation is, how many people listen to your radio program, how many people see your service on TV, and how many influential people seek your "spiritual guidance".

To serve Jesus is to offer yourself humbly as a sacrifice to care for the needs of God's children, especially to poor and disenfranchised. Serving Jesus is messy, disruptive, subversive, and an affront to those with power in this life. It's uncomfortable and it just might cost you everything.

"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.”